First Responders

First Responders 911 . . . What Is Your Emergency?

Submitted by KarenBoulter

If ever a day arises when you need to call 911for a medical emergency, you will reach BC Ambulance Services. They will first dispatch the ambulance and then call our North Shuswap First Responders, who will be dispatched to your location, as well. NSFR follows BC Ambulance protocol to help ensure you are provided care in a timely manner and help to prepare you for transport to the hospital once BC Ambulance is able to arrive on scene. Our Responders are trained as Emergency Medical Assistants – First Responders (EMA-FR).

If, for some reason, NSFR have not arrived at your location within fifteen minutes, please dial 911 again, and ask BC Ambulance to check that North Shuswap First Responders have also been dispatched.

When we arrive, we will assess the scene, looking for ways to ensure the safety of all persons involved. We will then follow a primary assessment, checking on the patient’s level of consciousness, as well as determining adequate airway, breathing and circulation. A rapid body survey is conducted to ascertain any life-threatening injuries which will be attended to immediately. Oxygen will be provided when necessary and a secondary assessment is conducted to continue gathering information. We will record signs and symptoms of the injury or illness, list allergies, medications, past and pertinent medical history, last oral intake, and events leading up to the emergency situation. Checking vital

signs such as pulse, respirations, skin temperature and colour, as well as assessing pain levels, is information that will be passed on to the EMA’s who arrive in the ambulance. Attending to wounds and fractures, applying a cervical collar when necessary, and helping with lifting and loading of the patient, all help speed up the process of getting you to the hospital a little more quickly.

Let’s work together to make our world a safer place. ‘Together We Make a Difference.’

If you would like to order your green and white reflective address sign, they are only $40 and certainly priceless when a loved one needs help. Signs can be printed vertically or horizontally with your house numbers, so please take a moment to decide where you will mount your address sign, and which orientation will be best for you. You may send a message to nsfrinfo@gmail.com or call Margaret at 604-217-1638 to place an order. We look forward to hearing from you today.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a First Responder, please contact Kath at 250-318-0317 for more information.

If you would like to borrow home care medical supplies such as crutches, walkers, walking casts, shower chairs, etc, free of charge, from the First Responders Society, please contact Don Devine at donedevine@gmail.com or call 250-955-2101 to make arrangements and find out more about what we have available.