New Westminster firefighters taking on expanded emergency medical duties – BC [Video]

Firefighters in New Westminster are expanding their scope, allowing them to provide more medical assistance.

A new designation means firefighters in the city will practice as emergency medical responders instead of simply first responders.

Firefighters will be able to start working on a patient at the scene before ambulance paramedics arrive, including assessment of blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, or administering medication. The change has the support of the BC Ambulance Service.

“It can be quite concerning or disturbing to firefighters once they arrive on-scene and the ambulance service is delayed,” New Westminster Deputy Fire Chief Brad Davie said.

“If they’re unable to attend quickly, and somebody is experiencing a medical condition that they feel they can help with prior to the arrival of the ambulance, now they’ll be able to do that.”

Davie said the change will benefit patients and firefighters’ mental health.

New Westminster’s fire department handles about 8,000 calls per …