As Parkland Ambulance Care celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s clear that the service has grown, evolved, and faced both new and old challenges in the emergency medical field. One of the most insightful voices in this journey is Lyle Karasiut, who has spent an incredible 36 years in the field, working his way up from an ambulance attendant to his current role as Director of Logistics and Support Services. In this interview, Lyle reflects on how far his service has come and shares his thoughts on how manufacturers, like us, can continue to be valuable partners in their mission to provide exceptional care to their community.
From Ambulance Attendant to Director: A Journey of Growth
Lyle’s journey in EMS began, as many do, in the trenches. “When I first started, I was just an ambulance attendant,” Lyle recalls. “I took my EMT training, then got my paramedic certification. Back then, there wasn’t even a paramedic program in Saskatchewan, so I trained in the U.S.,” he explains. Over the years, Lyle’s role in Parkland Ambulance Service evolved, and he now leads the logistics and support team. Yet, his passion for the work remains as strong as ever.
Although Lyle is no longer on the frontlines as frequently, he still makes occasional shifts in the field. “I like to get out on the road when I can,” he says. “It’s good for me, and it keeps me connected to the pulse of our operation.”
A Shift in Challenges: From Manual to Sophisticated Systems
Reflecting on his 36 years with Parkland Ambulance Service, Lyle identifies three key areas where the most significant changes have occurred: human resources, technology, and fleet equipment.
“In terms of human resources, we’ve grown exponentially,” Lyle notes. “When I started, we had a very small, mostly on-call staff, and we relied on local volunteers—nurses, firefighters, police officers—to help when we were busy. Today, we have over a hundred staff members working full-time, including our communications team, and our call volume has skyrocketed. Back then, we’d consider five calls a busy day. Now, we’re handling that before 8 a.m.!”
Technological advancements have been another game-changer. “When I started, ambulances were basically converted station wagons, and your ‘training’ was a first-aid certificate. We’ve come a long way,” Lyle says. “Now, paramedics are trained to a very high level—many of us are doing procedures that, in the past, would have been reserved for emergency room doctors. We bring an ER to your door, minus the X-rays and lab work.”
But the increased capabilities of paramedics bring new demands. “The expectations of our equipment have increased,” Lyle adds. “We need ambulances that can handle not only the high volume of calls but also the complexity of modern medical care.”
A Fleet Designed for Long-Distance Care
Parkland Ambulance Service operates a fleet of 12 ambulances, all Demers MX 164 models, and four paramedic response vehicles. The choice of the MX 164 is based on the unique needs of their service area. “We’re not just an urban service,” Lyle explains. “We cover a large district, with about 180,000 people. The furthest point from our base is over 200 kilometers away, which can mean a two-hour drive. We often transport critically ill patients, sometimes for hours on end. The dual-cot setup in the MX 164 gives us the flexibility to move multiple patients or accommodate additional medical equipment, especially in situations like COVID-19 when we need extra oxygen or special care units.”
Lyle’s team also values the ability to customize their vehicles to handle specific needs. “For example, during the pandemic, we were able to convert one of our ambulances to handle an ‘airvo’ unit, which requires high-flow oxygen for patients who are critically ill,” he explains. “This flexibility is a big reason we’ve stuck with the MX 164 for many years. It’s a workhorse, and it fits our needs.” The Demers engineering team is always focused on innovation, continuously evolving the vehicles to meet the growing needs of paramedics with the latest specialized equipment and adaptable configurations to tackle the ever-changing challenges in emergency care.
Opportunities for Further Improvement: Innovation and Safety
Despite the many advantages of the current fleet, Lyle sees opportunities for improvement, particularly in terms of crew safety. “One thing I’d love to see is better options for securing our staff during transportation,” he shares. “Crew safety is a big concern, especially in the event of a collision. Our current vehicles don’t always provide a way to safely restrain crew members if they need to move toward a patient. A five-point harness system that could be clipped in and out quickly could make a huge difference”, he suggests.
Ventilation is another area Lyle highlights, especially given the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The ventilation in the back of the ambulance isn’t great, especially when you have multiple people in there, and especially when you’re transporting someone with a contagious disease,” he explains. “Improved filtration systems and better air circulation would be a big improvement for the safety of both our patients and our crew.”
While Demers Ambulances currently complies with ventilation standards, ensuring an air change rate of 25 times per hour, these standards have remained unchanged for several years. The good news is that ongoing research, in collaboration with specialized centers, is focused on refining the measurement of ventilation efficiency. The manufacturer is closely monitoring these developments and also offers the option to add additional air purifiers to further enhance the safety of both patients and staff.
Building a Stronger Future Together
Parkland Ambulance Service’s 50-year legacy is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the paramedics and staff who have served the community through thick and thin. With leaders like Lyle Karasiut guiding the way, the service is well-positioned to continue evolving to meet the demands of modern emergency medical care.
By listening to customers like Lyle and continually innovating based on real-world feedback, we can strengthen our partnership and help Parkland Ambulance Service continue to deliver the best care possible, no matter the challenges ahead.
Have something to share?
We are always looking for feedback about our vehicles, services, and customer experiences.
