Last weekend was “Doors Open” in Ottawa, a yearly event during which a number of places open their doors to the public. Not only admission is free, but you get the chance to peek into a number of interesting places which are not usually open to the general public. Being my usual curious self, I decided to go visit the Ottawa Paramedic Headquarters in Walkley.
As much as I like architecture and old buildings, which is what a lot of people come to see during this event, I was more interested in getting an insider peek into the day of the paramedics. Like most people, I occasionally see them racing on the freeway, or I hear the sound of the ambulance siren in the distance and know something is going on—that’s about it.
The paramedic headquarters was built in 2005. This is where all the staff reports before being dispatched. A huge indoors garage is home to what seemed dozens of vehicles, from bicycles (to access crowded places easily) to huge trailers which carry tons of supplies in case of a major emergency.
Several rooms stock the supplies: stretchers and little bags, full of drugs and medical supplies. They are all checked daily and repackaged as needed, and then sealed. The building also has a cleaning station for vehicles, which are all disinfected and checked for damages before being parked again.
Upstairs in the buildings are the staff gym and physiotherapy centre (apparently, this job is hard on the body!) and the emergency control room.
Everything looked so organized and “under control”—I actually found that very comforting. And the paramedics seemed to be a dedicated team!
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I love Open Days!
London’s Open House Days occur in September.
A lot of buildings that are usually closed to the public OR places that normally charge you for admission fees will become free on two short days in September!
And there are about 700 buildings/ sites to visit…
Hey this is so cool and awesome, as a union leader I do get to visit some interesting govt agency and establishments…I love this sort of learning journey.
This is a great visit Zhu 😀
oh that’s awesome, I wish they’d have a thing like that here. There’s lots of places I’d like to get into!
I have never seen the inside of the paramedics headquarter. That is very awesome! Very organized and clean. It looks like the hospital emergency room to me.. Wow, the staff gym has a beautiful view!
Totally Cool!
Good choice and thank you for sharing. EMT’s earn their money.
i love open houses. especially when you can wander into the kitchen and raid the refrigerator. there are always interesting things to pick up and put in my pocket. ambubags and percocets.
just kidding 🙂
but seriously, why don’t i ever get invited back?
Interesting. I’ve always admired EMTs and other emergency personnel for their resolve at dealing with crisis every day (well, at least being ready for it).
I admire your photo abilities, even non-touristy sites like a display of emergency personnel becomes photogenic with your shots!
@London Caller – Wow… Ottawa “only” had 113 buildings opened to the public!
@shionge – Thank you! I sure know you like visiting new places 😉
@Breigh – I think they had this kind of event in a lot of places in Europe – I know France has it too.
@micki – Yes, it does look like an hospital a bit, without that awful smell though! It is super clean.
@Rich B – I thought of you 😉 I’m totally hoping to get hospital access and do a photodocumentary there thanks to you 😉
@Tulsa Gentleman – Oh yes, they sure do! Their shifts sound insane.
@Seraphine – I would have stolen a stretcher, they looked confortable. But they didn’t fit in my bag, you know how it is. Couldn’t find the Vicodine either 🙂
@Nigel Babu – They seemed very much prepared and in control, which I found very comforting!
@Linguist-in-Waiting – Thank you!