Instructor/Student Resources

    For instructors or students, all of the presentations are available to look at at any time.  Either to prepare for an upcoming in-service or just to review at your leisure, there are available to the first responders or public at large.  Please be patient as some presentations are larger than others!

First Responder Coordinator Resources

Forms

Spiritwood-Big River EMS WANTS You!

    Have you ever been in a situation where someone around you was hurt and needed help?  Did YOU know what to do? 

    Have you ever wanted to help your family and friends in your community or surrounding area? 

    Have you ever thought about being a First Responder? 

    Have you ever wondered what a first responder is, or what they do? 

     If you answered "YES" to any of the above questions...Look no further, here we will tell you all you need to know about what a First Responder is, what they do and how to be come one in your area!

First Responder Information (printable version)

Questions?

    What is a First Responder?
    Who can become a First Responder?
    How much does the course cost?
    How long is the course?
    Where would the course be held?
    What do you need to maintain the CERTIFICATION?
    How do you acquire equipment?
    Insurance and Liability issues?
    What knowledge will I have once I have completed the course?
    What area have First Responders now?

What is a First Responder? (back to questions?)

    A First Responder is someone who is trained with knowledge and skills to respond to situations that arise in your community.  When an ambulance is called, sometimes it may take some extra time to get to your community, depending on distance, weather, etc., so First Responders are called to respond first to attend to patients while the ambulance is responding. 

    First Responders also help ambulance personnel when needed, for example...during car accidents, or multiple casualty incidents.  If an ambulance is not located in your community or near by, First Responders are paramount in ensuring help is near by.

Who can become a First Responder? (back to questions?)

    Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, and has a current CPR Level 'C' certification within one year of taking the course.  Also, becoming a First Responder is a volunteer service, so individuals who want to, must be willing to volunteer their time.

How much does the course cost? (back to questions?)

    The actual First Responder Course costs are, under normal circumstances, covered by the local Health Authority you reside in.  Sometimes individuals, or groups, are required to cover the cost themselves at $450.00/per person, but if you require more information on costs and funding, please feel free to contact us for further information on this subject.

    The other costs that may be incurred to the individual that are not covered are the CPR certification, time and mileage to attend the course.

How long is the course? (back to questions?)

    The course is a forty (40) hour certificate program for Saskatchewan Health and SCOP--Saskatchewan College of Paramedics.

    The course is usually held over two weekends...

        Friday night 6:00pm to 10:00pm
        Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Where are the course held? (back to questions?)

    Usually the course is held at Spiritwood Ambulance Care base because it is a central point for all areas, as all needed equipment for the class is located there with lots of space to teach.  Depending on the circumstances, and groups being taught, the course can be taught in your area also!

What do you need to maintain the CERTIFICATION? (back to questions?)

    Every two (2) two years, your individual certification expires with Saskatchewan Health and you need to acquire CE credits (continuing education credits) to re-certify your license. 

    Spiritwood Ambulance Care holds quarterly in-services for all First Responders in the Health Region.

    These in-services are one (1) full day from 9:00am to 4:00pm, either on a Saturday or Sunday held every three (3) months.  You do not have to attend every in-service in the two-year period, but you do need to acquire enough credits within the two years to qualify for re-certification with Saskatchewan Health.

    Each in-service is worth so many credits, which depends on how many topics we discuss.  During the in-service, different topics are reviewed and practiced, for example...we would review trauma scenarios, medical problems, splinting, etc.

How do you acquire equipment? (back to questions?)

    Some First Responder groups will fund raise within their community for equipment.  Some equipment that has been fund raised for in the past are AED's (automated external defibrillators, special training classes, etc.).

    However, each year the Health Region will supply funding to each First Responder group which is based on the number of First Responders in your group, number of calls attended to and other more specific criteria.

Insurance and Liability issues? (back to questions?)

    A First Responder registered through a health region, and is acting as a volunteer on behalf of that health region, they work under the insurance blanket of the health regions volunteer policy.  You are covered under these "Blankets of Insurance" if you perform your skills and knowledge within your "Scope of Practice" within the health region.  If you choose to perform skills outside of this, then you can become liable for your actions. 

    If you are a first responder in another health region, other than PAPHR--(Prince Albert Parkland Health Region), individuals should contact that corresponding health region for their insurance policies.

    When an First Responder responds to a call, a PCR--Patient Care Report needs to be filled out and signed by whoever responded and attended.  The Health Authority supplies PCR's and once they are filled out by the First Responder, they would need to be sent in to Spiritwood Ambulance Care to be kept for records.

    As First Responders, because it is a volunteer service, when called by an EMS dispatch agency to respond to a call, you do have to right to say "NO" and not attend.

What knowledge will I have once I have completed the course? (back to questions?)

    The topics that are covered in the program/course are not limited to following, but do include...

What areas have First Responders now in Prince Albert Parkland Health Region? (back to questions?)

[ home ] [ Contact Us ] [ Services ] [ First Responders ] [ EMS Week ] [ Health & Safety ] [ Job Postings ] [ F.A.Q. ] [ Additional Links ] [ Photo Gallery ] [ Our Store ] [ Search ] [ Employee Login ]