Responding To
The Call
Each year Nova Scotia Firefighters receive thousands of
emergency calls. Well trained firefighters respond to the
problem as quickly as possible. But the commitment and
dedication to the injured do not end when the emergency is
under control and trucks are back in the station.
In 1983, eight firefighters founded the Nova Scotia
Firefighters' Burn Treatment Society. The aim of this
charitable organization is to raise money for the victims
of burn injury. The Society, with the help and
participation of firefighters throughout Nova Scotia, hold
special fund raising events. The annual bowl-a-thon, where
hundreds of firefighters, burn care nurses, burn support
groups and their families travel to Halifax for a fun day
of bowling, is just one.
The proceeds from the events are used to fulfill special
requests from the Victoria General Hospital and the Izaak
Walton Killam Hospital For Children -- the two burn
treatment centres in Nova Scotia. As well, the Society is
involved with the Nova Scotia Burn Support Group. The
volunteer organization is comprised of serious burn
victims to share experiences and to discuss how to cope
with the physical and emotional needs resulting from burn
injuries.
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The Road To Recovery
Approximately 60 adults and 40 children are treated
annually at the province's two burn treatment centres. In
these cases burns cover anywhere from 5 to 100 percent of
the body. Teams of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, and support staff work around the
clock to help the patients recover. Specialized, highly
technological equipment is also needed. The equipment is
expensive and funding is limited.
Since its founding, the Nova Scotia Firefighters' Burn
Treatment Society has purchased much needed equipment for
the hospitals' burn treatment centres.
In 1988, the only skin bank facility in Atlantic Canada
was installed at the Victoria General Hospital with the
Society's assistance. The initial cost of this unit was
$55,000. The skin bank enables the hospital to store
donors' skin, which is then used to cover burn victims'
exposed areas. The grafted skin assists the body's healing
process by covering the burned areas to protect them from
infection.
Other equipment purchased by the Nova Scotia Firefighters'
Burn Treatment Society includes Clinitron beds, which aid
in the healing of skin graft surgery and makes the patient
as comfortable as possible, heart monitors, and a computer
to assist occupational therapists design special pressure
sensitive bandages to cover burned limbs.
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Recognizing The Need For
Education
Another objective of the Nova Scotia Firefighters' Burn
Treatment Society is to educate people about burn
victims.
In addition to buying hospital equipment, the Society also
responds to requests for educational tools. The Society
has helped to establish a burn library at the Victoria
General Hospital by supplying books and audio-visual
equipment. They have hosted professional seminars in the
Atlantic region and have sent hospital staff from the
Victoria General Hospital and the Izaak Walton Killam
Hospital For Children to seminars in other areas of Canada
and the United States.
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Reaching Out
The Nova Scotia Firefighters' Burn Treatment Society's
motto is "Taking Pride In Helping Others". However,
the Society also needs help -- your help.
The Society cannot continue to fulfil its goals without
the financial support of the community. As well as
sponsoring fund-raising events, you can make donations by
contacting your local fire department or the Nova Scotia
Firefighters' Burn Treatment Society.
Organ donation is another important way you can help.
Facilities such as the skin bank are able to operate only
with donations. Like other body organs, skin can be
donated. Think about it. Discuss it with your family
If you wish to make a donation, remember to fill out the
organ donor card and specify your request for skin
donation on your driver's license.
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Burn Prevention
There are many ways you can help protect yourself and your
family from burn injury. Teach family members the
importance of caution when dealing with open flames, hot
liquids or electricity and prevent burns from
occurring.
- Equip your home with smoke detectors and fire
extinguishers. Check regularly to ensure they are
operating properly.
- Avoid deep-fry cooking with oil. When a necessity, use
thermostatically controlled deep fat frying equipment.
- Keep portable heaters in safe locations.
- Turn down temperature on home hot water heating
tanks.
- Make sure children's pyjamas are flame resistant.
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Burn Treatment
Knowing how to treat burns is just as important as knowing
how to prevent them. In most situations, use the following
guidelines:
Treat minor burns with cool water and seek medical
attention if necessary. Do not apply butter, creams,
lotions, or ointments to the burned area.
If clothing is ignited, remember these three steps: Stop,
Drop, and Roll. Once flames are extinguished remember to
remove jewelry, belt buckles, rubber-soled shoes, and any
other items that may retain heat causing further damage to
the victim
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Copyright © 2004 Nova Scotia Firefighters Burn Treatment Society. All rights reserved.
Last updated March 05, 2004