First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

Job Description: First ResponderThe First Responder may function in the context of a broader role, i.e., law enforcement, firerescue, or industrial response. With a limited amount of equipment, the First Responder answersemergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to ill and injured patients. Afterreceiving notification of an emergency, the First Responder safely responds to the address orlocation given. The First Responder:1. Functions in uncommon situations2. Has a basic understanding of stress response and methods to ensure personal well-being3. Has an understanding of body substance isolation4. Understands basic medical-legal principles5. Functions within the scope of care as defined by state, regional, and local regulatoryagencies6. Complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, protection of property, andevidence at the scene while awaiting additional EMS resourcesBefore initiating patient care, the First Responder will size up the scene to determine that thescene is safe, identify the mechanism of injury or nature of illness and the total number ofpatients, and request additional help if necessary. In the absence of law enforcement, the FirstResponder creates a safe traffic environment. Using a limited amount of equipment, the FirstResponder renders emergency medical care to adults, children, and infants on the basis ofassessment findings.Duties include but are not limited to:1. Opening and maintaining an airway2. Ventilating patients3. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation4. Providing emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as• Controlling hemorrhage• Bandaging wounds• Manually stabilizing injured extremities5. Providing emergency medical care to• Assist in childbirth• Manage general medical complaints, altered mental status, seizures,environmental emergencies, behavioral emergencies, and psychological crises6. Searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergencymedical care7. Reassuring patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner8. Avoiding mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish thetaskOther Duties1. Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury andassists other EMS providers rendering emergency medical care and protection to theentrapped patient.2. Performs emergency moves and assists other EMS providers in the use of the prescribedtechniques and appliances for safely removing the patient.First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002xv