KVFD First Responder Program Celebrates its First Anniversary

June 17, 2023 — Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department

One year ago, the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department launched its Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder program. The members who helped build this program hold EMA FR licenses and are an integral part of the emergency medical services offered in our jurisdiction.

What is an EMA FR?
EMA FR stands for Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder. We assist our local Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) with the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) in emergency patient care. We continually train to perform life-saving interventions, but our scope of practice is limited. We rely on our EMR partners with the BCAS to provide complete emergency medical care in our community.

What is an EMR?
EMRs are part of the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and work for BCAS. They are trusted and respected community members who work in paramedicine. They are the emergency medical professionals your friends and neighbours call in a medical emergency or crisis. Their training and licensing allow a higher level of emergency medical care than EMA FRs and the ability to transport patients to hospitals for further emergency care.

Occasionally, as with the very first call we attended as EMA FRs, our members are on scene before BC Ambulance and are wholly responsible for the patient’s well-being and care. Our members take life-saving measures and make critical decisions in split seconds while ensuring they keep themselves, the patient and the public safe. Once paramedics arrive, we hand over the patient's safekeeping to the BCAS for further care and transport if necessary. 

Year in Review

Calls

•  June 17, 2022, to December 31, 2022 — 134 medical calls. 84 with patient contact.
•  January 1, 2023, to June 16, 2023 — 95 medical calls. 51 with patient contact.

Licensed Members

•  2022: Ten licensed members – two members have upgraded their training to EMR and are part-time with the BC Ambulance Service.
•  2023: Two more members became licensed members, three are currently writing EMA exams, and three more will start EMA training soon.

By the end of 2023, the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department will have more than 50% of our members trained as medical first responders. This training allows us to improve our emergency services to the community and respond to even more crises that demand quick, efficient, and professional emergency response. 

Thank you for your continued support of your local volunteers.

If you want to join our team and give back to the community, please visit https://www.keremeosfire.ca/volunteer-forms for more information.