Increasing the medical response level provided by Cochrane Fire Services (CFS) is being applauded by the Cochrane EMS Emergency Crisis Citizens Action Group (CAG)

Chair Brian Winter literally clapped his hands when council approved a policy change that would upgrade the medical first response of CFS to full-scope basic life support at the primary care paramedic level from emergency medical responder level.

It will now be submitted to the Alberta Medical First Response program to formalize the level of service change.

When full-scope basic life support at the primary care paramedic level is not available, CFS will continue to respond to support citizens with the level of service available at the time of service. 

"It's good for our group and the citizens of Cochrane," says Winter. "It's a step in the right direction."

CAG made a presentation to town council on Feb. 6 recommending the change.

Stacey Loe, town executive director of Protective and Community Services, told council the change can be accommodated within the existing CFS budget.

"What changes is simply the service they can provide," Loe told council. "There is no impact on operating or capital budgets. There will be some refresher training that will be conducted, but that will be done in-house with updates to the members from the AHS policy perspective that they will have to review, and then some recurring training, all of which can be incorporated within the existing operating budget."

Back in February, CAG also sought the purchase of a fire paramedic response vehicle that could be used to house a stretcher while waiting for an AHS ambulance to arrive. Under extreme circumstances, it could be used to transport patients.

While town administration has shunned that idea, Winter says they will continue to pursue such a vehicle. Members of CAG are visiting the fire hall tonight to examine the department's current rapid response vehicle.

"We want to see the vehicle they have and they can tell us why they don't need a vehicle that would accommodate a stretcher. So we're going to meet with them, and then we can work towards fitting that into a future budget item."

He's encouraged that some council members continue to express interest in purchasing the stretcher-capable vehicle, the most vocal of which has been Councillor Susan Flowers.

"She still wants to see what this vehicle would look like that we're asking for, what the trade-in value would be of the existing vehicle, and whether the vehicle we want will meet all the needs of the fire department," says Winter.

Loe gave kudos to the CAG for their determination to improve emergency response in the Cochrane area.

"It is the commitment of those individuals that do make things like service level policy changes and awareness throughout the province about the issues that are occurring in our communities," said Loe. "So, definitely thanks to them."