Board of health approves pilot project giving auto-injectors to mall guards
A pilot project arming security guards at two Hamilton malls with auto- injectors to treat possible severe allergic food reactions has the go-ahead.
Implementation details and funding for the Stock Epinephrine Auto-Injector Pilot Project (SEAPP) were approved by Hamilton’s board of health on Tuesday.
The auto-injectors are life-saving, spring-loaded needles that administer a dose of epinephrine that can stop a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Hamilton’s public health officials will lead the one-year pilot, with McMaster University and Anaphylaxis Canada playing a role.
Security guards at Eastgate Square and Jackson Square are to be trained by the end of May to recognize and respond to a severe allergic reaction.
The board, which includes every city councillor, approved funding for the pilot of up to $82,000 from the city’s tax stabilization reserve.
The idea to stock the malls with auto injectors came from the Ancaster Rotary club, says Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson.
“It saves lives. It’s that simple,” Ferguson said.
The board also approved a twoyear Ottawa Street Mobile Farmers’ Market pilot project, subject to finding funding.
Public health will help the Otta- wa Street BIA apply for funding from the provincial agricultural ministry. Any short fall would be aided by the Newalta landfill royalty reserve, created to fund projects for the benefit of Stoney Creek, up to $100,000. (Sites for the mobile f armers’ market will include two Stoney Creek locations, yet to be determined.) The rest of the money would come from the city’s tax stabilization reserve.
A 2012 pilot project that tested air quality in the city’s east end in Sam Manson Park is becoming permanent with the purchase of two air monitors — one reconditioned, one new for $225,000. That cash will come from the Ward 5 area fund.
Meanwhile, staff will investigate other potential sites, including Glen Castle Park and the old HSR transformer station at 2650 Barton St. E.