On October 29, 2003, the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Centre re-opened after extensive renovations totalling $2.55 million dollars, of which $1 million was funded through donations from the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society (CFBTS), making this facility a centre of excellence in Alberta for patients with skin injuries.

In 2016 the CFBTS presented a donation of $1.44 million; bringing the total raised since 1978 to over $8 million!

For skin injury patients, the road to recovery is often long and arduous, but with the constantly improving Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Centre their recovery will be augmented the help of first rate equipment and highly trained staff. Improvements and expansion of the CFBTC include:

• Four new monitoring/isolation rooms, which allow for individualized climate controls and reversible positive/negative airflow for infection control.

• Cardiac monitors, equipment panels and bed dockers were added to all the rooms for the purpose of ECG monitoring and management of equipment. Each private isolation room also features a ceiling-mounted patient lift.

• The installation of a membrane air barrier to allow for higher-than-average humidity levels, hepafiltered air, and upgrades to the heating and cooling systems to optimize patient comfort.

• Infection control was improved with the addition of hallway wash sinks and private rooms with individual bathrooms.

• Lighting in treatment and patient rooms has been improved through the use of ceiling examining lights.

• Treatment rooms have been enlarged and a state of the art shower stretcher added for improved wound treatment and ease of providing advanced pain control techniques. These rooms have also been equipped with suction and medical gases.

• Redevelopment of the nurses’ station, medication room and other support areas has improved working spaces. An education room was added to facilitate educational presentations and a nurse’s lounge was added.

• New televisions for diversion during treatments and entertainment for the patient during their potentially lengthy recovery.

• Education is an essential part of providing excellent patient care and the donations have enabled numerous nurses to attend burn conferences throughout North America to advance their knowledge of burn practice and research.

• A Quiet Room has been created in memory of Nicole Creig.  The Quiet Room can be used by families visiting loved ones receiving care at the CFBTC.

The Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society’s year-round fundraising efforts have helped burn unit staff stay up-to-date with advancements in burn care and treatment.  The burn unit team is comprised of highly skilled health care professionals working together to provide the highest quality care to burn patients. The following personnel are part of the team:

Medical Staff

Burn patients are under the care of plastic surgeons. The plastic surgeons look after the physical aspects of the damage caused by burns, plus attempt to improve appearance and function to the areas affected with minimal evidence of scarring. The surgeons also supervise resident doctors who are specializing in burn care and plastic surgery, and work as part of the team to provide the patient with the best opportunity for recovery.

Nursing Staff

The patient care manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the burn care centre and coordinates the activities of the burn unit team. Registered nurses provide the bedside care and oversee all treatments the patients receive. They also provide support for the patient and their families.

Physiotherapist

The physiotherapist helps the patient regain physical function, strength and endurance through exercises, mobilization and physical aides.

Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapist assists the patient in becoming more independent through therapeutic activities and special devices. They also ensures proper positioning of limbs with splints and manage scars with pressure garments and special products.

Social Worker

The social worker provides counseling and emotional support. They assist in practical problems such as financial assistance and discharge planning.

Dietitian

The dietitian ensures the patient receives a high calorie, high protein diet required for healing burn injuries.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care offers support for all the patients and their families regardless of religious affiliation.

Psychiatry

The psychiatrist and the psychiatric nurse assist the patient and the family in the management and support of their mental health.