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Gateway CERH Launches the Benefitting Rural Area Volunteer Emergency Firefighters Project

Karissa Eckert (Gateway Admin)

Are you aware that up to 360 people volunteer at 18 fire departments in Huron County to protect you and your loved ones? These volunteers are now first responders as well!

 

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) proudly launched the Benefitting Rural Area Volunteer Emergency Firefighters (BRAVE-F) Project on August 20th & 21st, 2024.

 

In support of our volunteer firefighters, Gateway CERH developed BRAVE-F to promote and contribute to the well-being of our first responders. BRAVE-F is designed to provide medical screening and education of cardiovascular health for our rural volunteer firefighters in Huron County. Educational sessions were delivered to the group by Dr. Mike Beazely, PharmD, and Dr. Ken Milne, M.D, to elevate their knowledge and awareness of overall health. The screening pilots took place at Seaforth and Bayfield firehalls.

 

“I am so proud of the Gateway Team for taking on this challenge,” said Gwen Devereaux, President of Gateway CERH. “These volunteers are so important to the well-being of our community and really are our heroes. Please help us reach every firefighter in Huron County.”

 

“This project has been an incredible journey for me as a researcher,” said Sage Milne, Project Lead. “We started BRAVE-F in the Summer of 2023 and have ended the Summer of 2024 with our first two pilot screenings. I am happy to be working with such an incredible team of young researchers. I look forward to using the skills I've learned as I return to school this fall.”

 

Gateway CERH research assistants, board members and volunteer nurses all attended and participated in the screenings. The volunteer firefighters were extremely engaged participants in this process. Gateway CERH appreciates the volunteer nurses from Seaforth and Bayfield, who shared their expertise in conducting the screening, and our generous donors for this project.

 

Gateway CERH would like to thank the Bayfield and Seaforth fire departments for their eagerness to participate in these initial pilots. In the future, Gateway CERH hopes to expand BRAVE-F to additional firehalls in Huron County. Our goal for BRAVE-F is to bring a meaningful difference to the lives of volunteer firefighters in our rural communities.

 

If you would like to learn more about BRAVE-F or our other projects, please contact info@gatewayruralhealth.ca or visit our website: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/


Group photo of Gateway CERH team
The firefighters, nurses, and Gateway CERH team members who participated and assisted with the BRAVE-F Pilot Launch from at Seaforth Fire Department.
Group photo of Gateway CERH team
The firefighters, nurses, and Gateway CERH team members who participated and assisted with the BRAVE-F Pilot Launch from at Bayfield Fire Department

About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health  

Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube 

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