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Ambulance New Brunswick (Image: Tara Clow)

N.B. ambulances to be equipped with ‘clot-buster’ medication for cardiac emergencies

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New Brunswick advanced-care paramedics will soon be equipped with medication that can stop heart attacks, or at least reduce the damage.

Last week, the government announced it is investing $2.5 million to equip ambulances in New Brunswick with pre-hospital thrombolytics, also known as “clot busters.” These medications break down blood clots and restore blood flow to the heart, stopping or reducing the damage caused by certain types of heart attacks.

According to a press release, providing early access to these medications can help reduce mortality, limit complications and improve overall patient outcomes for people experiencing cardiac emergencies.

“By equipping advanced-care paramedics with thrombolytics, we are enabling treatment to begin sooner, when it can have the greatest impact on saving lives and reducing long-term damage,” Health Minister John Dornan said in the release.

The funding will support the initial purchase and ongoing replenishment of the medication for the current fiscal year. It also covers any technological upgrades needed to support safe and effective use in the field.

Ambulance New Brunswick will begin using thrombolytics this summer.

The initiative will also expand the skill set of Ambulance New Brunswick’s advanced-care paramedics to meet the scope of practice for administering the medication, which paramedics in provinces such as British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia already do.

Craig Dalton, CEO of Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick, said in the release the province’s investment represents an important advancement in patient care and support for the paramedics who deliver it.

“Our advanced-care paramedics are highly skilled clinicians, and this initiative recognizes both the depth of their expertise and the critical role they play in delivering advanced care to New Brunswickers,” he added.

Ambulance New Brunswick (Image: Tara Clow)

N.B. extends tuition bursary program to recruit first-responders in province

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The provincial government is extending the tuition bursary program for paramedic and emergency medical technician students past its initial program end date.

The program, which provides a bursary to cover eligible tuition costs, is open to graduates from six approved training programs who sign a return-of-service agreement with Ambulance New Brunswick.

This extension will now include students who are to begin studies after March 31, 2026. The program at first was only available to those beginning studies or graduating between June 11, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Those studying to become primary care paramedics or emergency medical technicians at Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, Medavie HealthEd, Omni Life Support Training and Consulting, and Oulton College are eligible, as well as those in advanced care paramedics programs at Holland College and Medavie HealthEd.

Graduates also have to gain a license from the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick.

According to the Department of Health, the bursary is paid in two instalments, the first half when employment begins and the other upon completion of the return-of-service agreement.

Those studying to become a primary care paramedic and/or advanced care paramedic must sign a two-year return-of-service agreement, whereas emergency medical technicians must sign a one-year term.

Premier Susan Holt said the extension will make it easier for people to choose a career in paramedicine in New Brunswick.

“We need more trained professionals to join Ambulance New Brunswick so that they are available to care for New Brunswickers when an emergency arises,” said the Premier.

Health Minister John Dornan said 49 graduates have received their first bursary payment since the program’s launch.

“We are committed to ensuring our health-care professionals are supported within a well-staffed system and that New Brunswickers can access care when they need it,” said Dornan. “We are encouraged by this strong uptake and look forward to welcoming even more paramedics and emergency medical technicians into the system.”

CEO of Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick Craig Dalton said it is good to see the extension of the program.

“It is an important tool in our efforts to recruit paramedics in what remains a very competitive environment,” said Dalton. “One of our key priorities is to build and maintain a full staffing complement of paramedics, helping us to provide better work-life balance for our teams who do such excellent work caring for their fellow New Brunswickers each and every day.”

Treasurer of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick, Courtney Croucher-Fillmore, called the announcement a call to action.

“To anyone considering a career in paramedicine, and those already in the profession who are thinking about furthering their education, this is your moment to step forward and take on that challenge. New Brunswick needs you,” said Croucher-Fillmore.

For more information about your eligibility for the bursary program, please refer to the related links at the bottom of the Government of New Brunswick’s recent release.