Emergency preparedness: It’s a #TeamYYC effort

It's Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada and at YYC we are dedicated to preparing Team YYC for various incidents that could occur at our airport.

Did you know, that Transport Canada outlines the regulatory requirements for emergency planning at Airports? At YYC, we have an Emergency Response Services Team to ensure we meet regulatory requirements and fulfill our mandate to operate YYC safely. Whether it’s extreme weather events, aircraft incidents, or significant system outages, we have plans in place to ensure a coordinated response from all airport partners and emergency response agencies, to any emergency.

How can you be prepared if you have or come across a medical emergency at YYC? Remind yourself of these tips in case you have to call 911.

Know your options before you call.

Have a headache? Need a band aid? Want your blood pressure checked?
Don’t call 9-1-1

Excessive bleeding? Chest pains? Change of consciousness or breathing issues?
Call 9-1-1.

Consider these tips when calling 911:

1. Do I need an ambulance for myself or for another person? When the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) medics in the airport are dispatched, they are the same as an ambulance. In fact, an ambulance is also dispatched should a transport to hospital be required. 
2. Dial 9 before 9-1-1: Using an internal phone? Press 9 to connect.
3. Know your location: The most important piece of information is the address and location of the emergency. The address of the Airport is on the back of your RAIC. However, if you work in the Airport Corporate Centre or the Airside Maintenance Centre, those buildings have different addresses so be sure to know those building addresses.
4. Use plain language: 911 does not know airport terminology like DTB or ITB.
5. Be specific: Airside, terminal, level, gate, pre-security, post-security
6. Do not provide routing to your location: That’s the Integrated Operations Centre’s (IOC) job.
7. Stay on location: It’s best to call 911 from the scene.
8. Don’t hang up if you misdialed: Stay on the line and explain it was a mistake, otherwise CPS will be dispatched
9. Call the IOC: (403) 735-1300 option 5 and advise that you made a call to 911 or direct another person to call the IOC if you’re on the line with 911.
10. Other resources: See your company’s first aid attendant, Urgent Care Facility or dial 811 for Alberta Health Link.

Calgary Airport Authority contracts AHS EMS to provide one Advance Life Support Medic onsite between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven day per week. We are also supported by The Air Medical Crew (Air Ambulance); a 24x7 service. The Air Medical Crew provides the fixed-wing ambulance services throughout the province. When the Air Medical Crew is not flying, they may also respond to medical calls at the Airport when available. Their ‘home’ when they are not flying, is also in the EMS Office located in the Domestic Terminal Building. And as a reminder, the medics at the Airport are only dispatched via 911.

Note: Patients are charged for fees as soon as AHS EMS starts assessing you. If you are transported via ambulance, the cost of the bill is higher. And there’s a different fee for international travellers.

For more information, visit: AHS website