Newsroom
MFR New Levels of Service
The MFR Services Team would like to advise you of upcoming additions to the Levels of Service effective November 1, 2012.
We are pleased to offer MFR Agencies the choice of two additional levels of service to better reflect changes in response and coverage in communities throughout Nova Scotia. Levels 1-4 will remain in place and there will be no impact on these levels as a result of the additional levels of service.
The first level is a “Level 5.” This level was created at the request of the fire service for those departments who were not actively involved in the MFR program. Many departments, who currently do not participate in the MFR program, requested to be notified for cardiac arrests, motor vehicle collisions and lift assists only. The primary target for this level would be those departments who are currently a Level 1 Agency (no medical response). The new level 5 will allow these agencies to be notified of cardiac arrests, motor vehicle collisions and lift assists only
within their response area.
The second Level is a “Level 6.” This level was created at the request of fire departments that are currently a Level 2, but want to be notified for all cardiac arrests and motor vehicle collisions within their response area. A level 6 is described as follows: “Notify my department/agency if requested
by the responding paramedics and for all cardiac arrests and motor vehicle collisions.”
Both of these levels have been piloted for approximately 10 months throughout the province. After a clinical review of the calls and PCRs, no issues were reported during the trial and as a result, we will proceed with the implementation of the new levels to the remainder of the MFR Agencies in Nova Scotia.
It is important to note that the decision to change levels is entirely the choice of the MFR Agency/Fire Department. We appreciate the efforts of our MFRs and we anticipate that these additional levels of service will help augment MFR response and help to better serve the communities we protect.
If you wish to change levels, please complete MFR Agency Level of Response form found in our Forms and Downloads section and return it to the Medical Communications Center.
Should you have any questions regarding the Level 5 or Level 6 response models, please contact EHS MFR Services.
Community AEDs
Congratulations to MFR Facilitator and paramedic James Holmes from Shelburne who has been diligently working with a number of local businesses over the past several months to place AEDs in strategic locations and facilities throughout the Shelburne area.
Two of the most recent placements in the community are shown in the pictures below. This first AED was presented to Shelburne Regional High School on graduation night. Donations towards the purchase of this AED came from Andrew Huskilson, Home Hardware and Tim-br-Mart. The remaining balance for the Shelburne Regional High School AED comes from the supplier of the AED through a donation plan.
The second AED was purchased by Maria Harding owner of Maria's Happy Face Convenience Store in Shelburne. Jamie also worked with several local businesses showing them the benefits of early access to defibrillation and good quality CPR. Jamie wants to thank Maria and her staff for caring about the people in their township with the purchase of this AED.
We are very proud of Jamie and his dedication towards safety and patient care in his community.
Jamie presenting to Stephen Pippy. Jamie presenting to Maria Harding.
Local Firefigher gets Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Award
NORTH YORK, Ontario: The national president of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association has announced this morning that a
Nova Scotia paramedic and volunteer firefighter has been awarded the
*Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.*
They wish to congratulate Lieutenant *Jason A. Cochrane*, /PCP, EMD/, of
Windsor, Nova Scotia. Jason is only the 7th Nova Scotian firefighter
to have been awarded this Medal.
The presentation of Jason's Medal will take place at Ottawa on September
8th, 2012 where a select few have been given the chance to have the Ottawa
presentation.
A brief part of the original nomination is shown here below:
Jason started his firefighter training as a junior firefighter in
Brooklyn Fire Department, NS. When he turned 18 years old, he joined
the Town of Windsor Fire Department as a regular volunteer firefighter.
He has been a paramedic for 11 years, graduating from
Holland College, in PEI as a PCP. (He is licensed in NS as a PCP and EMD)
Within his FD he has served as a firefighter, an officer as
a Captain and a Lieutenant, and is volunteers with Peer and Family/CISM
since 2011. A member of the WFD Colour Party. He carried
the CVFSA flag in the 2011 CFFF National Memorial Parade. (a high point
of satisfaction in his FF career) However, his work as a
firefighter is just the roots of what he does for the department and his
community. He has organized 2 vehicle extrication competitions
in Windsor 2007 and 2008, he still participates in organizing and
developing training exercises for WFD. Jason participates in Fire
Safety/Prevention week and does the Fire Dept Open House and school
educational talks. He has participated with the Fire Dept in
Relay for Life (CND Cancer Society) in Windsor for the last 2 years
{since Windsor has been hosting them}, and also provides MFR
Services while onsite.
He volunteered at the Canada Winter Games at Martock 2011 & participated
in the BMO Hockey Hero's
weekend 2012. He organized and volunteered security for the 1998
Nationals Softball Tournament. Jason was a big brother for Big
Brothers/Sisters. For 17 years he has helped organize and participate in
the Shawn Lowthers Memorial Golf Tournament, held every
August in Cheverie, NS. He helped organized and participated in the 2011
Hants Community Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament.
As a paramedic he has participated in a few of the EPSO team scenario's
(Chester and Halifax)
Has taken the EPC Basic Emergency Management Course via EMO-NS
He was the duty SCO/supervisor on when the Aberdeen Hospital evacuation
took place, which he had to run. (Bomb threat)
Jason is currently taking the Certificate in Fire Service Leadership via
Henson College, Halifax, NS
He has an Advanced EMD Certificate and is employed by one of the leading
dispatch centers in North America, EHS Nova Scotia.
Congratulations Jason from friends and colleagues of EHS Medical First Response!
EHS LifeFlight Scene Safety Course
New Landing Zone Officer (LZO) Procedures
EHS LifeFlight will be presenting the Scene Safety Course; open to all Emergency Service Providers: Police, Search & Rescue, Fire Fighters, Paramedics, EMO, DNR, etc.
All personnel attending the course must review the "Pre-Course Orientation" before attending. This information can be found at: www.ehslifeflight.ca.
After the course EHS LifeFlight will provide a short briefing for any agency interested in developing, or already has, an EHS LifeFlight approved helipad in their community.
Port Hawkesbury - June 20, 2012 - 7:00-9:00pm
Port Hawkesbury Fire Department, 309 Hiram St., Port Hawkesbury
For further information contact Jason Helpard at (902) 631-0347 or jason.helpard@emci.ca.
View the poster for this event.
Sydney - June 21, 2012 - 7:00-9:00pm
Grand Lake Road Fire Department, 850 Grand Lake Road, Sydney
For further information contact Lawrence Briand at (902) 565-1707 or lawrence.briand@emci.ca.
View the poster for this event.
D-Oxygen Regulator Seal
Brass-Viton oxygen tank gaskets achieve an easy seal of regulator to the D-tank oxygen cylinder issued to MFRs.
To avoid unnecessary difficulty and for reasons of safety, the Bodok seal is the only allowable, single gasket between the D-post and the regulator. A Bodok seal will last several tank change-overs.
Important - The green plastic dust-cover and filling-seal found on Praxaire tanks are not meant for regulator connections and are completely removed from the post before attaching a regulator with the Bodok seal.
Do not use nylon gaskets, double up seals or use the oxygen wrench as a lever to tighten the T-handle as a remedy for leaks.
A properly seated and leak-free connection should operate with normal hand-tight tension on the T-handle. If the Bodok seal appears worn, crumbled or leaks under normal tension, please complete a missing or damaged equipment form and return the regulator to MFR Services for repair.
Praxaire cover/seal removed and regulator with single Bodok (Brass-Viton) Seal
Truro Oxygen Exchange – Location Change
TO: Northeastern Region MFR Agencies
Please be advised that effective February 9, 2012, oxygen exchange for MFR Agencies will no longer be available at our Walker Street facility in Truro. After February 9, 2012, you are asked to exchange oxygen cylinders at 203 Wade Road in Truro at the EHS Ambulance Base.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 902-832-8620 or by email at paul.maynard@emci.ca.
View/Print this memo
Reminder to check your AED
Please take a few moments to review the attached Phillips Heartstart AED Maintenance presentation. Be sure that regular checks are completed on any AEDs within your organization to ensure they are in working order.
If you have any questions or concerns related to your AED, please contact MFR Services.
EHS MFR Services Insurance Reminder
Please review the attached memo regarding insurance coverage for Medical First Responders.
PCR Compliance - 2011 Agency Report Cards
On June 22, 2012, EHS MFR Services mailed “Report Cards” to each sponsored agency, detailing call volume and PCR compliance from 2011. This mark reflects all PCRs submitted to MFR Services compared to notifications made by the Medical Communications Centre. The report card also provides, for comparative purposes, statistical information for agencies in the appropriate region as well as the province overall, and reflects statistical information from the 2009-2010 report cards. Please post this in an area for all to see so you can strive to improve on your mark for next year.
EHS Yarmouth & District Names Recipient of Community Services Award
The inaugural Community Service Award for the Yarmouth & District area was awarded to St. Bernard PCP Odette Gaudet. This annual peer-driven award is presented to an individual displaying exceptional volunteerism, supporting their community through public relations, public education, supporting and assisting with community initiatives and/or other significant commitments above and beyond their daily paramedic duties while promoting their profession.
Odette is a tireless volunteer who is active in both professional and community development activities. Most notably is her contribution to the MFR program where she acts as the liaison paramedic for the area from Windsor to Eel Brook. Odette spends countless hours facilitating MFR sessions in surrounding communities. Odette is one of the major driving forces behind the Meteghan EMS Golf Tournament which over the years has raised thousands of dollars for many charities. She is also heavily involved with local athletics, helping out local teams raise money through car washes, coaching teams and serving on many boards and committees including the board for the Acadian Games.
Way to go and merci beaucoup, Odette!!
Attention all EHS registered Medical First Responders re: Patient Care Reports
Any time a Medical First Responder (MFR) makes contact with a patient, a Patient Care Report (PCR) MUST be completed. If you are unable to provide the attending paramedics with the “white copy” of the PCR, then ensure that both copies are sent to EHS MFR Services. A PCR should not be destroyed by shredding or placing such in a waste receptacle. It is a legal document and must be placed with the patient’s file.
It is very important to know that documentation on a patient is part of their continuum of care. That continuum of care starts when 911 is contacted and the caller is transferred to the EHS Medical Communications Centre, then notification of an MFR agency, then to patient contact as well as attending paramedics. The "white copy" that is given to the paramedics should be provided to the hospital staff for the patient's chart. The "yellow copy" should be forwarded to EHS MFR Services for confidential and secure filing.
Philips HeartStart FRx basic product training
Visit MFR Education for a PowerPoint presentation which provides
basic "how to" training for the Philips HeartStart FRx defibrillator that was issued to all EHS registered MFR agencies in spring 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Philips FRx
Click here for the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Philips FRx defibrillator.
Insurance coverage for Medical First Responders
Please click here to review an important letter from Robert Brown, EHS Director Field Operations, regarding insurance coverage for EHS registered Medical First Reponders and Paramedics.
EHS MFR Triage refresher training available online
The EHS MFR team recognizes that while Triage is one of the essential competencies required for tag re-registration, it is often difficult to secure an EHS-facilitated Triage refresher training session in your community.
We are pleased to announce that the Online Triage component of our website (in MFR Education) provides an alternative method of attaining this competency by reviewing a refresher presentation and completing a short quiz online. Upon successful completion of the Online Triage quiz, a certificate will be generated and must be submitted to the EHS MFR Services Registrar for credit toward re-registration. (Complete instructions are available at the end of the quiz.)
A fine balance...Jeff Fraser speaks about medical first response in Nova Scotia
This article in Firefighting in Canada magazine addresses pre-hospital emergency care, including Nova Scotia's MFRs who are referred to as "heart and soul of the emergency medical response system."
More information on oxygen exhange
Praxair Medigas requests that customers please utilize the green labels attached to each oxygen bottle to indicate whether the bottle is FULL-IN-USE or EMPTY.
When cylinders are being returned it is helpful to use that industry standard to ensure the empty containers are returned and the full cylinders are ready for use.
When returning a bottle to the empty rack at the base, remove the portion that indicates full or in use and leave the empty portion on the bottle. For larger bottles, leave the tag outside of the cap, through the hole in the cap if possible.
Reminder to all EHS MFR Agencies
Please remember to bring in one (1) empty oxygen cylinder to exchange for one (1) full cylinder on a regular basis.
It is important that you do not "save up" your empty cylinders and exchange 3 or 4 at a time, as this depletes the normal inventory and may prohibit EHS from providing oxygen to other EHS MFR agencies and the EHS ambulances.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.
Did you know...?
* EHS Emergency Health Services recently approved funding related to MFR training reimbursement to approved fully sponsored EHS MFR agencies.
- Only new, fully sponsored EHS MFR agencies will receive training costs reimbursed to the agency at a maximum rate of $150 per person, to a maximum of $1,500.
- Each consecutive year, a fully sponsored EHS MFR agency is entitled to receive reimbursement for MFR training of two (2) persons at a maximum rate of $150/person.
- For more information, please review Program Document No. 12008.00.
* Anyone who is 19 years of age or older, has successfully completed MFR training by an EHS approved MFR training agency, is a current resident of Nova Scotia, and is associated with an EHS registered MFR agency can make application for his/her EHS MFR tag by completing the "Medical First Responder Registration/Re-registration Application" form or contacting the the EHS MFR Registrar at (902) 832-4685 or mfr.registry@emci.ca.
