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THUNDER BAY — When a first responder arrives at a home, ERIK can provide them with “immediate information to help the client if they’re unconscious or can’t communicate,” according to Donna Nagy.
Nagy is chair of Age Friendly Thunder Bay, which launched a revamped ERIK (emergency response information kit) alongside the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on Wednesday.
The two agencies revived the emergency response tool, designed to support residents and enhance emergency response services in the community.
She said there was a similar tool in the community about 10 years ago, but it had too much unnecessary information. “We streamlined it so that it’s really simple.”
ERIK offers peace of mind, for anybody, said Nagy. “Especially for your parents or your grandparents if they’re home by themselves or even if somebody is with them, if they’re unconscious, nobody knows what to do, but a paramedic does.”
The kits include a brochure, which can be placed on a fridge or on the back of a front door where emergency responders can easily find it. It contains essential medical and personal information to assist paramedics or police when they enter a home.
She said the response from the community has been great. “People have heard about this before today — and they’re looking for it.”
She said the ERIK package includes a red dot sticker to be placed on a light switch near the home’s entrance. The sticker is the visual cue for paramedics, police or firefighters to know that an ERIK is available inside the residence.
According to Jim Greenaway, commander of community safety and planning at Superior North EMS, the ERIK is a practical tool.
“It’ll help our paramedics with their processes on doing their assessments with that readily available information and ultimately provide better care,” said Greenaway.
“Having all that information in one location just makes everything more efficient and more accurate.”
He said there is a portion of the information kit where all the providers who are currently in the home can add their information.
“So if someone might have home nursing, we’ll know each other in the home and then we can communicate who should stay in the home so we’re not duplicating services and provide better care that way as well,” he said.
He said the launch of the kit is a collaboration. “Interactions on scene can be quicker for people with that information readily available.”
Insp. Joe Dampier with the Thunder Bay Police Service said the ERIK is also beneficial for police. “To have that information available to first responders on scene gets people the care they need, quicker.” He said the tool can help officers who need to reach next of kin in an emergency situation.
The kits are available to pick up at the 55 Plus Centre at 700 River St., Thunder Bay District Health Unit on Balmoral, Superior North EMS on Junot Ave., the Red Cross on Barton St., and at Nurse Next Door at 250 Algoma St. S.
ERIK can also be downloaded (red sticker not included) and printed from the Age Friendly Thunder Bay website.
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