Chris Jardine Gives an Inside Scope of his Life as a First Responder

Chris Jardine Gives an Inside Scope of his Life as a First Responder

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Vegreville Fire Chief Chris Jardine reveals what life is like as a first responder.

Jardine has been a firefighter for 22 years, and has served in both Manitoba and Alberta. The positions he has held include firefighter, Lieutenant (Fire Services Coordinator), Deputy Chief (Emergency Services Assistant Manager), and his current position as Fire Chief.

Jardine also held the positions for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Manitoba and Alberta as an Emergency Medical Responder, Town of Churchill EMS Coordinator, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Town of Vegreville EMS Manager, and his current position as Operation Supervisor, AHS-EMS Central Zone.

Jardine explained that being a first responder is the best job in the world. “You are on the frontline of making a difference in someone’s life when they need you the most. Most co-workers that have worked with over the years, including the Fire/EMS members I currently work with, all have these same thoughts.

We serve the community and its citizens and we are proud to do the work we do. You have to love the job in order to do it. With all the different emergencies we see and the difficulty of some of them, you have to love this line of service.

Fire/EMS has the biggest support team there is. Everyone looks out for each other and knows what everyone goes through.

Current Fire Chief, Chris Jardine working in one of his positions with EMS. (Chris Jardine/Photo)

The main reward to working at a job like this is that you are making a difference in someone’s life. When someone calls 911, you are the first person they see and first impressions are everything in this line of work. The challenges are many: the different events we respond to (traumatic calls, medical emergencies, loss of property due to fire or accident, rescue calls) all are challenges that first responders need to be trained for and ready to deal with at a moments notice. They face the fact there is a good possibility that you know the person you are helping, if you are from that community, can be a challenge in some cases. One of the biggest challenges is how the emergencies are becoming more complex and you still need to be able to deal with them in a professional and highly trained manner,” Jardine said.

When asked Jardine how he takes care of his mental and physical health so he can give his best to his job, Jardine replied, “Family is the biggest support I have whether it is from my Fire/EMS families or my personal family at home. There is always someone who supports you and may understand what your issues are and can help deal with anything that comes around. Another big support item in the Fire/ EMS service is the external support system that we have. We have access to 24 hour online/phone support systems that may help members deal with situations and help members get support they need. This is a definite asset to First Responders in this area.

He went on to say, “I have been very fortunate in my Fire/EMS career to have and currently work with, some of the finest people I know. These people drive to an emergency while others are driving away. When citizens of our area see us arrive to their emergency, they know that they are going to be taken care of by knowledgeable and professional responders who are dedicated to help all in need.”