City
Hablas Espanol EMS?
Should our police, fire fighters and emergency medical services personnel speak more languages?
That's what I was left wondering after I stumbled upon a crime scene late last night where the victim only spoke Spanish. The police, fire crew and paramedics who arrived on the scene couldn't speak the language, making it almost impossible to decipher his story.
It was hard for them to figure out how a man ended up lying on the roadside, bleeding from his face, shortly after 2 a.m. at the northeast corner of Bay St. and Yorkville Ave.
I happened upon the situation moments after the emergency services arrived, to see a man crumpled in a heap at the edge of the road. At first I thought the man was the victim of a hit-and-run.
Three police cars, fire fighters and an ambulance rushed to the scene, put the man on a stretcher and took him to a hospital. He appeared to have sustained non life-threatening injuries.
When I asked one of the police officers what had happened, he said that the victim only spoke Spanish, and that there were no Spanish-speaking cops in their division on duty at the time, so it was difficult to get his story.
Luckily two witnesses were in the area just after the altercation. They said they saw two other men fleeing the scene.
Fights break out all the time in the early hours of the morning as bars and clubs let out. So this isn't all that unusual in a city as big as Toronto.
It's good to see that our emergency services are quick to respond to incidents like this, especially outside of the entertainment district.
The brief conversation I had with the police officer left me wondering: In a city as diverse as Toronto, how hard can it be for the police (or paramedics for that matter) to employ more people who speak languages other than English and French?
What if the case was a suicidal person in distress? Or a hostage-taking situation?
When I worked for elections Canada, people with other mother tongues were encouraged to apply. Managing a central polling station on Election Day became a lot easier when I realized that some of my staff also spoke Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Farsi and Urdu.
Even though English and French are the country's only official languages, do you think the Toronto police, EMS and fire crews should be hiring more multilingual personnel?
Photos by Roger Cullman.
Discussion
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regardless... these articles are so half-assed. you could make this more interesting if you actually decided to call ems to get their response or maybe see how many spanish/foreign-language speaking staff they have... but otherwise it's just a stupid opinion piece by my least favorite blogto writer.
Wouldn't you think it would be invaluable to have our EMS staff equipped to communicate with them in situations where it can save a life?
One of the paramedics could know how to speak Urdu, Russian and English, but it would still be uselles to the situation where the victim only speaks Spanish.
911 operators have a translator service available to them. Police have the ability to call out to every division in the city for someone that speaks a particular language when it's required but to expect police, fire & ambulance to cover all the languages in every spot they cover is way unreasonable.
You really don't think you're the first to think of this do you?
Toronto emergency services recruits people from of all creeds & colours. Do people of those creeds & colours apply? No.
How can you hire someone to fill a certain demographic when they don't want the job in the first place?
Toronto has some of the largest EMS, Fire Services & Police Forces in the country in the most diverse city in the country. Somehow, somewhere, somebody has sat down and wondered how to deal with the number of languages spoken on our streets on any given day. They deal with it on a case by case basis. It's worked pretty well so far. Hiccups will occur but it's not at fault of the service offering the help.
Would you move to or visit another country or city and not speak one word of the language and expect help when you needed it because you felt everyone else should speak your language too?
I guess it would've saved me time and keystrokes just to agree with labrevFrab.
Don't worry taxpayers, The Miller is on it.
And labrevFrab? That's either ignorant or a tasteless joke. Either way, not cool.
http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/04/man_found_bleeding_on_roadside_after_brawl_in_yorkville/
Although the content isn't there anymore, google reader shows the same picture, and similar lead-in:
"A man was found bleeding on the roadside shortly after 2 a.m. at the northeast corner of Bay St. and Yorkville Ave. after an apparent brawl last night.
I happened upon the situation moments after the emergency services arrived, to see a man crumpled in a heap at the edge of the road. At first I thought it was a hit-and-run."
What's next? Homeless man found in Nathan Phillip's square speaking gibberish, should more of our aide workers be able to speak gibberish?
I never said that was what I expected. I merely suggested that it would benefit our EMS/fire/police services to have more of their employees versed in some other languages.
Spanish isn't one of the most spoken languages in Toronto, I know. But it would've helped in this situation had just one of the dozen or so on the scene spoken the same language as the victim.
Perhaps there should be more emphasis to hire those with other language skills in the hiring process?
No problemo!
Wow.
I'm shocked at all the responses along of the lines of "He should know English" and "It's not the responsibility of the police".
I imagine that in the face of trauma it's more challenging to communicate in a language not native to you, even if you know that other language. Hell, articulating in one's own language is a challenge while in shock or trauma.
Seriously, where's your compassion, people.
I don't expect each and every member of the EMS to be multilingual but in a city like this there should be infrastructure in place to ensure that immigrants and visitors from other countries can get the help they need.
That will be the follow up piece. :)
good to hear you plan on doing a follow-up piece, but it wouldn't have been necessary had you taken the proper steps in the first place.
In the meantime, let's contemplate the stress on a dispatcher while he/she tries to find a EMT who speaks the required language at the drop of a hat. Let's contemplate the protests from every minority language that doesn't have EMTs employed.
Nice job trolling for a high comment count Roger.
I think it is ridiculous sometimes - you can request in court to have a interpreter in any kind of language and TTC has phone lines in over 50 or more languages. That service costs money. If you go to any other country in the world, no matter how multicultural it is or not, you will not find this kind of service. You will find many people speaking English or other languages, but that is up to the individual. (Side note: It was nice of them in Paris to have English speaking counters at the station, but that is done for tourists). The last thing we need is for 100 emergency people to get dispatched so that a single person can get treated.
Let us first fix serious problems that NEED fixing in this city. Like health care, transit and school system. We do not need additional non issues thrown on top of these serious problems.
Toronto is diverse, there are thousands of languages with hundred of thousands of people who can't speak English, so deal with it, it's not going to change anytime soon. In fact, the non-English-speaking population will only grow, and to deny this is ignorant.
And I agree with 'Awwwcmon' the majority of emergency services personnel are caucasian, not entirely because hiring practices are racist, but because minorities aren't applying for those kinds of positions, and that may be because of their own racist attitudes towards the image of North American emergency services.
I am in a foreign country... why should they know MY language?
Sarah said it best, half-assed article.
As others have mentioned its too expensive and difficult to have all languages represented on the off chance the odd tourist gets into an incident and needs sudden translation. Evidence is gathered at the scene and eventually someone who speaks the language will assist. You don't need to speak Spanish to give medical aid. Far too many people take this "multiculturalism at any cost" approach and don't think of being sensible with the already stretched resources we have.
And for people mentioning older immigrants not speaking the language, it's the inevitable result of years of family-class immigration over more sensible immigration policies that favour skills we need (which are finally starting to be addressed, Harper-haters notwithstanding). They rarely leave their ghettos, er, enclaves anyway so I fail to see the need to spend even more money we don't have on occasional services for them.
I've worked with immigrants and the last thing they want is for their kids to get into the policing, EMS, the fire department or the military. So while people continue to moan about these careers not representing Toronto's diversity it is up to immigrants (and there's been no lack of recruiting attempts from the other end) to start thinking of jobs for their kids that don't involve medical school (laudable though that goal may be).
From a personal standpoint, anyone who is willing to put in the effort and dedication to become an emergency worker, my hat's off to them. I certainly would not look down on EMS workers were they only armed with an English tongue. Would it be nice if they did speak additional languages? Sure. Being on call and as busy with literally life-saving work, I will give them a pass for not having the time for remedial French anytime.
There should really be some better writers/topics out there. This is terrible.
I do however agree, if they plan to come here, learn the language at least a little bit. There is only so much we can do for immigrants. Half the time they aren't even employed legally which means that we're paying for such increases in pay for those that speak another language and or technology to compensate.
I do also find it funny that people are so thick to not realize that this was an article which meant to create a response from all of you. So the article in my mind was a success. It created a response and debate. Ever heard of an open ended question folks? Leads to a response doesn't it? ;)
Kudos Roger! You now know there is a great opinion on the matter and a didn't waste your time from the start looking into in depth information unless needed or wanted.
And kick ass quality photos too!
That's 50%.
That's not some tiny fringe that are demanding all services be rendered in their language, that's half the population of Toronto needing to be able to communicate effectively in an emergency.
Toronto isn't Sudbury, Toronto is Toronto and is full of immigrants.
I can't think of any other city in Canada where it would be more appropriate to discuss this.
http://www.toronto.ca/emerg/911.htm
This is a tri-service (Police, Fire, EMS) capable service and is still in use today. Its provided by a company called Language Line which can be found here:
http://www.languageline.com/
So the answer to the question is: Sí. EMS does habla espanol and 169 other languages.
No reason why you can't, or shouldn't, be required to learn English before arriving here. Not exactly a dearth of agencies and businesses offering such services, is there?
And do I ever hate the latest TPS livery on their cruisers.
I do know older immigrants who can't speak English have been to the emergency room and had melt downs and their family has to accompany them and translate for them. Or they are so upset that they blank on any english they do know.
When I've travelled to countries where nobody speaks English I can only rely on the help of strangers and try my best with the language. I don't expect them to accommodate me in all situations. This is a scary but true fact.
At least an ambulance picks you up and you aren't left by the side of the road.
I have great respect and admiration to EMS people as they deal with any number of people in dangerous situations and it is a crucial job.
Hell, I'm Chinese, and learned Cantonese ever since I could talk. Living in a city of English-speakers, however, means my Cantonese degrades day by day, and while I'm still fluent, my accent is *atrocious* and my vocabulary isn't great. I can't imagine how hard it is for someone to retain a language that is only casual and work-related.
I think it's most important for public emergency services to have access to a centralized translation service and a pool of personal interpreters.
Beyond that, individual citizens should either carry a phrasebook at all times, know the smattering of phrases they need to stay *alive*, or make sure their family is willing to come along to translate whenever possible.
Saying that EMS should try harder to recruit beyond English and French speakers is sort of obvious; isn't it common wisdom that a second or third language gives you a leg up *anywhere*?
If EMS did have, say, an Urdu-speaking paramedic in the system, how would that person be dispatched? What if they're engaged in other urgent duties? What if they have other skills more important than translation?
This would have been a more constructive discussion if some research was done. For example, the Toronto police has for years been marketing themselves more diligently to the Asian community, to increase diversity among their own ranks but also to improve community relations. I'm sure the police would have been thrilled to be interviewed about this and get some more publicity.
What the author of this blog intended to do was pose a question.
What the reader is entitled to is an opinion.
What makes you sound like a petty reactionary is frothing over what makes a good article or not because you can't even think about entertaining some kind of opinion.
Let me pose this to all the "two official languages damnit" mob: did you ever bother to learn the Native language?
I feel that the need for certain accessibility issues should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In extreme cases, it would be prudent for the city to have means to properly face communication issues. Cause otherwise it would suck to have some of the tragedies that happened in Toronto and other large cities occur again because the officers couldn't communicate with a shocked and confused person.
You don't need to get your parochial panties in a twist just because some residents here won't be able to communicate in English as good as you want them do.
Jeez. It's like the internet provides the medium for racists to feel liberal about letting out all the hostilities they have bottled up when they walk outside and see all those non-white Torontonians properly living their life not speaking English.
Give me a break.
Of COURSE the city's EMS staff have access to translators but the cost of equipping every member at every waking hour with personnel that can speak every conceivable language is absolutely absurd on so many levels.
This article paints EMS in a bad light because it presumes that they aren't doing enough. But chances are, it wasn't a life and death situation and because no Spanish speaking person was on staff, they decided they could probably wait it out and question him once they can procure one.
Sure there are hiccups and nothing is perfect, but well....this article is just asinine. I can't believe shit like this gets published.
there's like about nine non-white persons per every white person in this planet; And someday, perhaps because of climate change you may need to migrate south; and who do you think may be hunted then.
Despite French being an " official " language, Spanish is more common in Toronto and way more popular around the world.
I would like to tell you that you are a callous bastard. Who thinks he's really big behind the computer screen he's sitting because I for one am a immigrant from India and would like you to tell me that to my face and would like to show you what I could do with my hands, no weapons no nothing. This kind of behavior is aberrant and how fucking dare you, the audacity to speak like this?
Hopefully, you will reply back to me. If not then your a pussy trying to act belligerent.
You shot me the same email... I sure hope that was an accident because my comment was NOT a bad comment. FYI
But I do agree that Stephen Harper is way off base and should get educated.
You shot me the same email... I sure hope that was an accident because my comment was NOT a bad comment. FYI
But I do agree that Stephen Harper is way off base and should get educated.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
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