A graduation ceremony was held in Saanichton, B.C. Aug. 29 celebrating the licensing of 22 aboriginal people as Emergency First Responders.
Seventeen of the 22 graduates were Nuu-chah-nulth-aht representing the communities of Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Kyuquot/Checklesaht, Toquaht and Ucluelet. The remaining graduates were from Kingcome Inlet.
Becky Row, of the Canadian Red Cross, said the organization began a partnership with the First Nations Health Authority a few years ago in order to deliver First Responder Training in remote First Nations communities.
She describes the program as five full days of intensive training. Students spent eight hours each day in class along with hours in the evening doing homework.
The amazing thing about all of the students taking part in this rigorous training is that they were so supportive of one another that they had a 100 per cent graduation rate.
Every one of them are First Responders and holders of Emergency Medical Assistant licenses.
Row describes the classification as ‘a really advanced First Aid ticket’.
Of the graduates she said, “I can’t tell you how exciting this is; they’ve seen and experienced things in their communities and they want to help.”
Kyle Harry of Ehattesaht already had a First Responder’s ticket but his had expired in June. He said he can use his training to help the 250 people who live in his community and or anyone else who needs it. There’s a long, sometimes windy 200 km road between his community and the city and car accidents can happen anywhere along the way, and Harry is ready to help.
“I’ve always been helping out,” said Harry, “I was 12 years old when I got my first First Aid ticket.”
The training came as part of a First Nations Health Authority directive, specifically #13 of the First Nations Health Plan. That directive sought to enhance and improve first responders in remote and rural communities.
“In most cases they are hours away from medical assistance and so it is on them to assist patients until paramedics arrive,” said Row.
There was a community application process awhile back where remote communities were invited to send people to take the training.
Not only are the First Responders trained in dealing with medical emergencies, they are also trained in recording information so that there will now be better continuity of care for the patient as they are transferred from the community to the paramedic and then to the hospital.
Richard Elliott is the project coordinator who was contracted by the Canadian Red Cross. He worked tirelessly to make the program a success.
“We picked communities that needed First Responders and we were lucky enough to get candidates with heart,” said Elliott.
This is a pilot project. “We will write a report about this training session and we hope that more training like this will be offered to more communities in the future,” said Row.
Brenden McDonald is the Vancouver Island regional representative for the health authority.
Cliff Atleo, speaking on behalf of Nuu-chah-nulth-aht, thanked hosts Tsawout, the Red Cross and all participants who were part of the initiative.
“It’s wonderful seeing it come to fruition knowing it is needed in all communities whether you’re remote or not,” he said.
“We are hearing from other first nations who are interested in this type of training and we advise them to speak to their FNHA regional director, or they can email me,” Row said.
Beth can be reached at B.Row@RedCross.ca
The 2014 Nuu-chah-nulth First Responders Graduates are: Rhonda John, Julia Harry, Celina Cook, Stella George, Jay Miller, Andrew Smith, Trisha Miller, Alex Jules, Shawn Hanson, Dennis Hetu, Marceline Jack, Kyle Harry, Carlos Mack, Jacqueline Adams, Lory Campbell, Judy Campbell, and Felicia Charleson.
