Airdrie community members had a chance to interact with paramedics and demo emergency equipment at an open house at Genesis Place on Friday, May 27. 

Held in conjuction with National Paramedic Services Week, the open house was aimed at educating children and adults alike while giving them the opportunity to interact with the paramedics and explore the ambulance that was on-site.

Adam Loria, a public education officer with Alberta Health Services, said the open houses give communities members an opportunity to become more comfortable and familiar with paramedics.

"It's just a chance for EMS services, the paramedics, to get out into the community they serve and interact and engage with community members on a low-stress, non-emergency level."

One of the machines available for demo was the LifePak, which is a monitor/defibrillator, as well as some manual respiratory devices, which the kids got to try out.

"Specifically for kids, too. Hopefully we wouldn't have to respond to any emergency for any children but if we do, maybe they were in an ambulance the week or year before checking things out and they feel a bit more comfortable," said Loria.

The open houses happened Canada-wide through the duration of National Paramedic Services Week, including areas around Calgary.

"We've been down to Okotoks, Canmore, servicing Calgary per se and not only has it happened here, it's happened all over Alberta in different communities and across Canada."