Expanded training program provides PRFD members with skills for medical related calls

Prince Rupert Firefighters now have some  expanded
skills for medical calls on the job

The training program complete and the final exams over, the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue Department is celebrating the success of their membership following some extensive expanded training on medical themes.

As we outlined in November, the city's Firefighters were involved in a training program that prepared them for more advanced pre hospital work on calls related to medical situations.

Earlier this week, the PRFD provided a salute to their members for their hard work over the last month in preparation for the examination process.

The opportunity to expand on their skill set and take on new challenges as part of their duties comes following a move by the province to change some of the elements of Emergency Care for British Columbians.

On December 3rd, the Province outlined the scope of the expansion of care by paramedics and First Responders, as the changes are implemented local responders will be able to take on more life saving interventions, among them:

Needle decompression for major chest traumas to support breathing

Using portable ultrasound to better assess patients and inform care decisions

Enhancing airway management skills 

Providing life supporting or sustaining medications during transport. 

As the province explains it, these changes are further supported by increases to the care that first responders can provide, included on that list: 

Additional diagnostic testing, such as blood pressure and blood glucose, that can better inform paramedics

Administering epinephrine when needed for a life-threatening allergic reaction

Supporting the preparation or packaging of patients for transport by paramedics.

More on the provincial changes can be reviewed here.

The update on the new duties for the local Firefighters can be found from the PRFD Facebook page, where residents of the city are logging on to offer their congratulations on the successful completion of the program.

For more notes on the work of Emergency Responders across the Northwest see our archive page here.