Sept. 24, 2007 — Firefighters, often the first on the scene of an emergency, are getting medical first-responder training in ongoing classes at the St. Croix Rescue Academy.
"This should have been implemented a long time ago," said Sgt. Antonio Stevens, EMT, fireman and class instructor. "It makes sense for the first responders to be able to save lives."
At a press conference Monday at the academy in La Grande Princess, Victor Browne, V.I. Fire Services director, and Gregory Richards, rescue chief, spoke about the current training and the growing partnership between Rescue and Fire Services that began four years ago.
Nine firemen are almost halfway through a 16-week Fire Services recruit class. The class is 120 hours and consists of training in CPR, medical procedures, treatment of shock victims, assisting in births and stopping bleeding. Instructions are also given on communicating in an emergency situation and how to manage rope and water rescue.
"Firemen are first on the scene and they offer medical assistance in a limited capacity," Richards said. "They need medical skills to stabilize victims."
Added Browne, "We believe there should be standard life-saving practices given to maintain life until EMS gets there."
All firemen on St. Croix are now required to take the class, which is offered once a year. This is the second year of the program. The non-profit academy gets funding from the government, donations, grants and the United Way.
"Being a firefighter doesn't only mean suppressing a fire," said Firefighter Arthur Canaii Jr. "Seeing someone in distress anytime, we need to be able to help."
The Rescue Academy will host the second annual Extrication Symposium Oct. 5 to 7. Extrication is the rescue method used when a person involved in an accident can't be freed using traditional methods. This is usually done with Jaws of Life — used to pry open vehicles after an accident — or other specialized tools.
Leading the symposium will be Elgin Browning, who has worked and taught in emergency services for 28 years and serves as fire chief for Orange, Texas. Also participating will be a 20-year veteran EMS instructor, Dell Marstiller of Texas.
"The registration and interest in the symposium has been tremendous," Richards said. "We did a repeat of it because it was so successful last year. Next year we plan to have it at Divi (Carina) Resort."
The cost of the symposium is $225. To register, call 692-9400.
Fire Prevention Week begins Oct. 7 with a church service at Speak the Word Ministries at 9 a.m. and a barbecue at Torres Beach in Frederiksted.
There will be a softball game Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. at Canegata Ball Park. Also planned are open houses at different stations and a fire drill at Ricardo Richards Elementary School.
For more information on events, call 773- 8050.
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