The Town of Churchbridge is looking to garner interest for a possible First Responder Training Course. If enough interest is shown, the municipality is looking to host the course which will benefit the entire area as a whole.
What is a first responder and why are they an important part of our community?
A first responder is a person with specialized training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster or terrorism. First responders typically include law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMTs and firefighters. In some areas, emergency department personnel are also required to respond to disasters and critical situations, designating them first responders.
With EMS not in every community, we rely on first responders to arrive before the ambulance arrives and render first aid in any given medical or trauma situation, such as a car accident or farm accident.
In Saskatchewan first responders are required to take the Medical First Responder Program offered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority that is an 80-hour program; they are also required to recertify with a 40-hour course approximately every 2 years.
Having been an EMT for 18 years, it was nice to arrive in a smaller remote community that had first responders in the community and were on scene already rendering first aid or CPR to an individual prior to the ambulance showing up.
The efforts these first responders gave were astronomical and heroic as they fought to save the lives of their fellow area residents.
The first responders have been a first-tier response in sustaining and saving lives countless times, all on a volunteer basis, and should be commended for their efforts and dedication.
Unfortunately for the last 3 years, several local first responders have lost their certification, not because they did not take the training required, but because the training required never happened; there were no courses for these well-trained people to take.
This has put a strain on the few responders that have remained certified and that needs to be alleviated.
With a major push by the Town of Churchbridge that is hopefully about to change as Churchbridge aims to get the Medical First Responder Program offered in Churchbridge, or somewhere closeby, to recertify existing first responders as well as train any new individuals looking to serve their communities as a first responder.
Any individuals interested in taking the Medical First Responder Program can find the application on the Town of Churchbridge Facebook page or contact the town office for more information.
Requirements
Must be 18 years of age or older, complete the application form, submit a current Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector with the application, successfully completed a Medical First Responder course, apply to Sask. Health to become registered, complete the Saskatchewan Health Authority orientation and receive a letter of support from the medical first responder lead in your area.