Bill Bailey is proud of his work, and gives it everything he has.

In brief, BaileyB次元官网网址檚 a paramedic, a fitness instructor, a licensing examiner, and an International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) instructor and co-ordinator. And thatB次元官网网址檚 just the short list.

So to be honoured with an award for his commitment to teaching others, is, in his words, B次元官网网址渁 really big deal.B次元官网网址�

Bailey, 63, has been awarded the 2017 ITLS Instructor of the Year, specifically for excellence in teaching and innovation in the ITLS Program. B次元官网网址淚 am very honoured IB次元官网网址檝e gotten this award,B次元官网网址� he says, relaxing on a day off at his Promontory home. But itB次元官网网址檚 not the award he really wants to talk about. ItB次元官网网址檚 the success of the program heB次元官网网址檚 helped deliver throughout B.C., the country and the world that heB次元官网网址檚 really passionate about.

ITLS is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care. ItB次元官网网址檚 a B次元官网网址減re-hospitalB次元官网网址� trauma program with more than 90 chapters and training centres in over 35 countries around the world. And Bailey has been instrumental in helping grow the program, through creating courses that cater to the many types of responders they teach.

B次元官网网址淭his is my forte,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a standardized Canadian course but I have the ability to modify the group for the client.B次元官网网址�

Bailey travels around the world to teach instructors how to deliver the programs, to places like Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. He travels around the province, too, instructing teams like heart transplant nurses with critical care transport, military medics, Corrections staff, nursing staff, outpost nurses in northern B.C. and the Yukon, other B.C. paramedics, fire departments, and emergency department physicians.

When it comes to teaching the transplant team, for example, he studies their protocol to make sure his course is relatable, and usable.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where the innovation comes in,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭his is about moving beyond instructing paramedics and fire departments. My teaching style fits the clientele.B次元官网网址�

He has taught most of the B.C. paramedics, as an instructor through the Justice Institute of B.C. for the past 25 years or so. And heB次元官网网址檚 happy to be based out of Chilliwack, now as a part-time paramedic. Over the years, he has seen students grow and become team leaders themselves.

B次元官网网址淐hilliwack has some of the best instructors,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎nd I think IB次元官网网址檝e been a good, positive influence.B次元官网网址�

He knows his personal delivery can be very straightforward. But it has to be. Delivering trauma care is a fast-paced situation where confidence is key, and he tries to instill the knowledge and quick-decision making into his students.

Hesitations could mean the difference between life and death, in the most extreme situations.

B次元官网网址淵ou could say IB次元官网网址檓 honest to a fault,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 say letB次元官网网址檚 get to the chase. If you have to get in and plug a hole in a chest with your finger, you plug a hole in that chest with your finger.B次元官网网址�

He first got into medicine as a nurse, where he worked alongside his wife, Lorraine at Chilliwack General Hospital. He quickly realized he wasnB次元官网网址檛 happy with that role, and sought out a change. With his wifeB次元官网网址檚 support, he changed careers and has been teaching since 1991.

Her support, and the support of their children all these years, has allowed Bailey to pursue this globe-hopping, highly demanding line of work. In fact, he says, his only regret is that heB次元官网网址檚 had to miss important moments with them over the years.

And the highlight of his days? When he arrives at a call, and itB次元官网网址檚 a friend or a neighbour that he can take care of. To see a patientB次元官网网址檚 face relax, knowing they will be cared for like family, makes it worth the while.

There is always a demand for more paramedics, and Bailey is sure heB次元官网网址檒l be there to train many more. He has this advice:

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not all lights and sirens. You are working with sick people in their difficult times. ItB次元官网网址檚 not exciting. It can be sad, and depressing, but happy and hard work. ItB次元官网网址檚 not pleasant but it is rewarding.B次元官网网址�

The 2017 ITLS Conference is coming up on Nov. 3-5, in Quebec City.