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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Emergency response aims to be quicker First responder training lets MFRD respond to more calls By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
The emergency response times in Merritt are set to become much quicker after the Fire Rescue Department launches its first responder initiative, expected to begin April 23. The rescue protocol aims to cut the response times to emergencies when Merritt’s two ambulances are tied up with other calls. “We will respond to specific injuries when the paramedics are delayed or coming from another community,” said Merritt Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson. “We are another layer to offer some basic life support until paramedics arrive and take over.” Firefighters won’t transport people to the hospital. According to Merritt Paramedic Chief Keith Taylor, the initiative has flourished at other communities where he worked. “The first few minutes is always critical, so we are really happy to have this first responder program,” he said. “I’ve worked in many, many communities that have first responder programs and have seen the changed outcomes with having them.” In the past, the local ambulance service would look to Logan Lake, Kamloops, West Kelowna, Peachland, Penticton and Hope, respectively, for emergency assis-
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE The Merritt Fire Rescue Department responded to a fire at Pharmasave on Thursday at approximately 11:30 a.m. The sign at the front of the building caught an electrical spark before being engulfed in flames and falling from the side of the building. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
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tance if the local unit was tied up. Even though Merritt will have the first responder program, other areas could still be called in for assistance. “It’ll depend on the situation,” Taylor said. “Even though a community has first responder, there is still an obligation to provide ambulance as well.” The fire unit already occasionally arrived before paramedics and provided medical services. However, firefighters weren’t covered if someone filed a lawsuit against the unit. “This new agreement with the provincial government offers the [City of Merritt] and firefighters indemnity coverage,” Tomkinson said. “We did provide medical care when required, but it was at the risk to the City and to the department.” Fire Services expects an increase of about 150 calls per year. “That’s basically going to the most serious of injuries, motor vehicle accidents, shortness of breath, cardiac arrests, that type of thing,” he said, noting the approximate number of calls will now be 450 to 500 per year. Traditionally, the unit responded to vehicle accidents only when there were fluid spills and when jaws of life were needed. The jaws were used to pry open sections of vehicles that trapped people. While the department isn’t required to enlist more volunteers or hire additional trainees to deal with the increase, the unit continues to recruit firefighters. City council approved the new program in January 2011. Since that time, all the firefighters have taken first responder training, Tomkinson said. The program costs about $7,000 per year for training, pay, fuel and equipment maintenance.
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