Whereas volunteer fire department personnel may provide first responder services in BC in support of the British Columbia Ambulance Service BCAS to provide critical care while paramedics are en route to the scene of a medical emergency; And whereas oxygen is one of the most commonly used supplies in emergency patient care; however, a recent policy change at BCAS has discontinued the replacement of oxygen used by first responders on BCAS patients, effectively putting the operating budgets of these small fire departments at serious risk: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to establish a system for the replacement of oxygen and other consumables used in the provision of emergency health care by first responders to patients of the British Columbia Ambulance Service.
Ministry of Health BC Emergency Health Services BC Emergency Health Services BCEHS is reviewing the informal practice of many ambulance stations providing oxygen andor medical supplies on an ad hoc basis to first responder organizations. Many of these first responder organizations operate in rural and remote areas of the province. BCEHS has funded replacement of specific medical supplies for all first responders. However, some BCEHS stations have historically provided first responders with additional supplies and oxygen on a replacement basis. This practice is inconsistent around the province. BCEHS has identified risk and liability issues with regards to the transport, use and storage of oxygen. The issue is further complicated by BCEHS move to oxygen bottles with built-in regulators, which are not compatible with the oxygen bottles that most first responders either own or lease with separate detachable regulators. Therefore, exchange is no longer an option in many communities. BCEHS does recognize that this presents a challenge for rural first responder organizations, and is open to exploring possible solutions that are both equitable for all first responder agencies and cost-effective for the government.