MVFD -First Responder

First Responder
First Responder Kit photo

In our neck of the woods, fire departments are routinely called for assistance when someone activates the Emergency 911 system. Sometimes a matter of minutes can mean life or death, so a quick response from emergency medical help, (especially in rural areas) is needed.

To fill this need, our firefighters are trained as First Responder level III Emergency Medical Assistants, by our volunteer instructors certified through the Justice Institute of BC.

Being a First Responder requires an ongoing education in Emergency scene management, Patient assessment, Treatment, and Oxygen therapy. Though FR's are trained in managing a delicate spine if necessary, there is a separate more intense module on Spinal Immobilization. In addition certain First Responders are also licensed users of the AED (Semi-Automatic External Defibrilators) also referred to as "Shock Paddles". The AED endorsement requires that the users re-certify no later than every 90 days.

For more details on any of the above topics, please click on them.

First Responder Kit Bag Contents.

*Technical Stuff

Compartment A

Aluminum Clipboard (with a notepad)

FR Forms

Pens

Pocket masks w/one-way valves

Bag-valve-mask reservoir (BVM)

Child Bag-valve-mask, mask

Set oropharyngeal airways (8 in each set)

V-Vac Unit and tip

Standard adult O2 masks

Standard child O2 masks

Non-rebreather adult O2 masks

Non-rebreather child O2 mask

Rolls/coils O2 tubing

500ml bottle Saline w/ eye sleeves

Med. burn pack or Burn blanket

12" x 12" Polygauze

18" x 18" Polygauze

36" x 36" Polygauze

Alcare Foamed or Gel alcohol

Compartment B

Pressure Dressings

8" x 10" ABD Pads

6" x 8" or 5" x 9" ABD Pads

10" x 30" Multi-trauma

3" cling (cotton) bandage

3" crepe (tensor) bandage

1" cloth tape

1" Transpor (hypoallergenic)

Zip-lock bag of 4" x 4" Gauze pads

4" x 4" Gauze pads / Sponges

3" x 4" Telfa or Melolite pads

Esmarch (occlusive dressing)

Zip-lock Mixed Band-aids

Compartment C

Ring pad

Triangular Bandages

SAM Splints

Hot Packs

Cold Packs

Compartment D

Pairs Med. Surgical Gloves (Non-Sterile)

Pairs Surgical Gloves (Sterile)

Surgical masks

Pair of safety goggles

Tongue Depressors

Glucopaks

O2 Wrench (spare)

Compartment E

Pair Scissors

Pen light

Pen (spare)

Zap Straps / Speed Straps

500ml Savlodil bottle (with spray nozzle)

Oxygen Therapy

Administering oxygen can play a large part in giving effective first aid. We carry an E-Size Oxygen bottle (filled with Compressed Oxygen) fitted with a regulator and carrying harness, (*see the picture at the top of the page). We carry many types of masks to deliver the pure oxygen to the patients. (*see compartment A of the Kit Bag.) the rate of flow delivered, (Litres Per Minute) is determined by the type of mask and the patients medical physiology.

AED

Our AED semi-Automatic External Defibrilator (a.k.a. Shock Paddles) is used to send an electric charge of about 200 to 360 joules through the human heart when the heart is not beating properly, i.e.: fibrillating (jiggling) or in tachycardia (beating to fast to be effective). If CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) hasn't been started within 4 minutes of pulselessness, the AED will not usually be able to help. The Metchosin Volunteer Fire Department has therefore been working on developing a Metchosin Community-Wide CPR program. Please see Local Events page for more details.

Spinal Immobilization

The Management of Spinal Injuries module is designed to teach First Responders how to: Identify spinal injuries, use the various devices designed to immobilize, lift, and / or extricate patients with suspected spinal injuries and to perform the different spinal grips and rolls on patients with suspected spinal injury. However, the easiest way to minimize spinal injuries, is still to leave the patient in the position found until help arrives. WARNING: If the patient is in immediate danger, i.e. fire or traffic, etc. AND it is safe for you to do so, by all means, move the patient to a safer location.