Gilroy wants funds restored

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 05, 2009 6:00 PM

A Vernon politician is lashing out over provincial cuts to first medical responders training. The Emergency and Health Services Commission has decided to eliminate the $250,000 it provides for first aid training among firefighters in March. “It’s absolutely stupid what the government is doing,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy, a former deputy fire chief. Through government support of courses at the Justice Institute in Burnaby, firefighters would be certified for three years. They would then return to their halls and train their colleagues in medical techniques.

First responders attend to medical incidents when B.C. Ambulance personnel are unavailable. “The program is working amazing in Vernon,” said Gilroy. “Why would we take away things that will cost lives.” The city currently pays for most of the costs related to first responders, but Gilroy says downloading from Victoria may force council to reconsider its participation. “I’d hate for citizens to lose the program. I don’t know why they are cutting programs that are working.” EHSC officials are clarifying that the $250,000 was provided to help establish a train-the-trainer program at the Justice Institute. “First Responder agencies have always paid to have their individual trainers attend the train-the-trainer” course,” said Lee Doney, chief executive officer, in a written statement. “The funding subsidy provided by the EHSC helped to establish the program, develop the course curriculum, purchase equipment and cover non-direct costs.”

Doney says elimination of the subsidy is necessary because of financial challenges and it will allow the Justice Institute to compete with other agencies that deliver the course. “The EHSC will continue to work with communities with volunteer fire services who may need direct support for the first responder programs,” he said. “The EHSC is looking to find more efficient ways in which to support the train-the-trainer program. This includes holding programs only when there is a need for a course.” Doney points out that municipalities participate in the first responder program on a voluntary basis. Gilroy expects council will protest the funding cuts by writing a letter to the Emergency and Health Services Commission.“I can see every city in the province doing that,” he said.