Ah that expains it then - sorry if I miss read the post
Would have thought all fire appliances would have been equiped anyway as BM said for selfish? reasons. Would have thought basic first aid for smoke inhalation, would have been O2? I mean your not going to do mouth to mouth are you?
And as for the AED more likely from over exertion at a fire?
Exactly. And when do us firies end up falling over? After a fire, due to exertion. This should be the primary reason that we have the gear on the appliances. Treating the public is just a happy side effect. There isn't much that we can medically do, but just putting O2 on someone can make a huge difference to their panic and stress levels. Its basic, but it works.
The benefits of having this gear out in the sticks will no doubt be of assistance as if you arrive before the ambos (common, even in R1) you can help the persons involved feel at ease, and as though they are getting treated - Even with just the O2.
Just the requirements for this equipment is higher in regards to training etc & the need to keep current - ask how many industrial sites with first aid rooms have an occupational first aider? This is a requirement under the current code of practice (which is being rewritten as I type). As a matter of fact the whole first aid thing is being looked into, due to the complex nature of the current system.
So unless SAAS is going to provide the equipment & training (like CERT training ) then it's a big ask. Maybe thats the answer - all emergency first responders are CERT trained? Would save the services heaps in first aid costs
Cheers
The training isn't THAT much more. Bag/mask devices just replace mouth to mouth (squeezing a bag is hard), AED's are so simple it's not funny. Crank the 02 cylinder up to 8-15 L/min and let them suck it in. Its not like we are training to be doctors, or anything more than first aiders.
As for the autodefib I did hear that it was on a region one pumper....
Whats with the huge rolling of the eyes? Why do people get so annoyed when another brigade identifies a need for a piece of equipment, trains in it's use and purchases it? Oh no, they're in R1 and its a Pumper! Probably means that they are a busy brigade, know what they are doing and give a hoot about their fellow firies. OH NO.
When will people wake up and realise that there ARE brigades out there that have different equipment and training needs? As for all the Region 1 & 2 angst and hatred, get over it. So what if they happen to be the busiest areas of the state? Yeah, not every brigade needs everything, but there are some that do need a higher proportion and specification of equipment but its because of their local area. Its just the way it is.
I wonder what on earth would happen if people in the CFS didn't make decisions based on their brigade. If all these decisions were made based on the simple fact of whats best for the community. All the whining and mud slinging stems from "They get XYZ and we don't! NOT FAIR!". This seems to be the case for EVERYTHING from appliances, to equipment, even to response levels.
Should a house fire have been a 3rd alarm? No. But according to the grievance lodged by a brigade it should have been. Why? Because at a 3rd alarm they would have been called. Oh thats a healthy way to make decisions.
Don't get me wrong. There is a time for asking questions, but they need to be of a legitimate nature. Got a 15 year old 24 that is doing 300 calls a year? Yeah, I'd be asking questions about why brigades that do 20 calls a year are getting new/refurb trucks ahead of you. Got a 34P a few houses and a heap of scrub in your area, yet the neighboring town with a huge industrial estate gets a pumper? Stop whining and get over it.
[/Rant]