Yukon Site for New Emergency Medical Responder Pilot Course
For Release #05-55
March 9, 2005
WHITEHORSE -- When eight Yukoners finish a two-week course at Yukon College this Friday, they will be among the first in Canada to have completed the new Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder pilot course. The course has been sponsored jointly by Yukon Health and Social Services, Yukon College and the Canadian Red Cross.
This program will soon be available to all community ambulance volunteers, following incorporation of feedback from the pilot course.Ê Several weeks ago, in preparation for this, nine Yukon community volunteer attendants were trained in the initial instructing components for this program, a first step in ensuring community capacity throughout Yukon for initial and ongoing nationally recognized pre-hospital care training.
"We are very lucky to be a part of this first group," Health and Social Services Minister Peter Jenkins said today. "We committed to providing high quality training for our volunteer emergency medical responders in the communities, and with this training, they are meeting national standards. This is a huge benefit to all Yukon residents."
Colleen Wirth, acting Dean of Professional Studies with Yukon College, said she found it very exciting that Yukon College is partnering with Red Cross to deliver this program.
"The opportunity to offer national certification at the EMR level is a welcomed addition to the pre-hospital courses offered by Yukon College."
Ian Fitzpatrick, an Advanced Program Instructor Trainer for Red Cross, is in Whitehorse this week monitoring and evaluating the pilot project.
"The Canadian Red Cross has taken a very proactive approach in creating the National EMR course to meet the competency profiles established by the Paramedics Association of Canada. This course that we are delivering right now either meets or exceeds the competencies set by the Paramedics Association," he said.
The course consists of approximately 20 to 30 hours of pre-course work, followed by 80 hours of in-classroom instruction. Participating candidates must hold current certifications at the standard first aid level.
Those who successfully complete the course will receive a Canadian Red Cross EMR certificate that is recognized nationally and meets the PAC competency profiles.
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