By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY \u2014 An initiative that trains, pays and provides necessary medical equipment to first responders in First Nations continues to expand. The Emergency First Response Team program is an Indigenous-led partnership between Ontario\u2019s Ornge air ambulance service and individual communities, funded by the province\u2019s health ministry. It provides necessary training and equipment \u2014 including specialized vehicles \u2014 to first responders in First Nations, replacing a much more limited volunteer-based service. Effectively, it provides the necessary training for community members to stabilize and provide initial care to patients and get them to the local nursing station, then, if necessary, transport them to the airport so Ornge can fly them to larger centres. \u201cWhen we looked at it, we made an early determination… <\/p>\n
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY \u2014 An initiative that trains, pays and provides necessary medical equipment to first responders in First Nations continues to expand. The Emergency First Response Team program is an Indigenous-led partnership between Ontario\u2019s Ornge air ambulance service and individual communities, funded by the province\u2019s health ministry. It provides necessary training and equipment \u2014 including specialized vehicles \u2014 to first responders in First Nations, replacing a much more limited volunteer-based service. Effectively, it provides the necessary training for community members to stabilize and provide initial care to patients and get them to the local nursing station, then, if necessary, transport them to the airport so Ornge can fly them to larger centres. \u201cWhen we looked at it, we made an early determination... <\/p>\n