FIR007 - Firefighter Emergency Medical Responder

Subject Title
Firefighter Emergency Medical Responder

Subject Description
This subject provides an overview of the Ontario emergency medical care system and the specific roles of members of the emergency response team. Content covers common medical/trauma conditions, the related patient care and associated situational management. Emphasis is on the specific role and responsibilities of the firefighter emergency patient care responder and the teamwork essential to the effectiveness of the EMS response. Included are legislation, regulations, standards and established policies, procedures and protocols as well the role of members of the emergency response team and the specific role of the firefighter emergency care responder. This subject is divided into six sections: A. Emergency Pre-Hospital Patient Care System, B. Patient Assessment, C. Common Medical/Trauma Emergencies i. Respiratory ii. Cardiovascular iii. Neurological iv. Musculoskeletal v. Digestive System and Abdomen vi. Endocrine System vii. Childbirth, D. Emergency Patient Care i. Infants and Children ii. Older Adults, E. Common Behavioural/Psychological Conditions and Emergencies and F. Environmental Incidents - Natural and Human Caused.

Credit Status
One credit toward the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Ontario College Certificate

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

A. Emergency Pre-Hospital Patient Care System

- describe the pre-hospital emergency medical care system
- identify the role of the municipality and the fire service in the delivery of emergency medical services
- identify the components of the emergency medical system
- describe the goals and impact of a tiered response on the provision of systematic, effective emergency care
- describe the roles and responsibilities of the integrated pre-hospital emergency care team
- describe the applicable ethical, medical and legal aspects related to providing pre-hospital emergency care as a member of the EMS team in the province of Ontario
- describe the specific role and responsibilities of the firefighter emergency patient care responder
- describe how fire service personnel communicate and interact with members of the pre-hospital emergency care team

B. Patient Assessment

- identify the structural organization of the human body
- identify and describe the major body systems and functions
- identify and describe the functions of the major body organs, and their collateral structures
- identify and describe the functions of the major skeletal areas
- define common medical terminology
- describe pathophysiological changes that occur in common medical/trauma
emergencies
- describe procedures for securing and controlling an emergency patient care scene
- define the purpose of the patient assessment process
- describe the procedure for conducting a primary survey
- describe the methods for obtaining vital signs
- describe the procedures to collect information and to conduct a patient history
- describe how to conduct an assessment for trauma emergencies
- describe the procedure for conducting a secondary survey
- describe the procedures for reporting information to EMS personnel
- identify common communicable/infectious diseases of - describe the methods required of EMS personnel to protect themselves against communicable/infectious diseases
- describe the procedures for cleaning, disinfecting and replenishing medical equipment and supplies

C. Common Medical/Trauma Emergencies

i. Respiratory

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the respiratory system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care for the following respiratory emergencies:
- respiratory distress
- respiratory arrest
- hyperventilation
- airway obstruction
- rib fractures/flail chest
- sternal fracture
- tension pneumothorax
- open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound)
- hemothorax
- impaled object
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- asthma
- drowning/near drowning
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- describe the specific equipment and techniques used in respiratory emergencies:
- airway management
- oxygen therapy and administration
- suctioning
- identify the appropriate equipment selection and techniques necessary to maintain an airway
- identify factors that may dictate what techniques will be used to open an airway
(i.e., infant/child/adult)
- identify the process for recognizing and assessing complications of ventilations
- describe ways to provide comfort and support to patients with respiratory distress
and to family members
- describe the care of patients with communicable, respiratory diseases

ii. Cardiovascular

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
angina pectoris
- described the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
myocardial infarction
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
congestive heart failure
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
cardiac arrest/vital signs absent (VSA)
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
shock
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
cerebral vascular accident (stroke) and transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
cardiac tamponade
- describe the signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
aortic aneurysm
- describe the specific equipment and techniques and patient care management used
in automatic external defibrillation

iii. Neurological

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the neurological system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for the following neurological emergencies:
- skull fractures and brain injuries - concussion, contusion and hematoma
- spinal injury
- seizures
- describe the specific equipment and techniques used in neurological emergencies:
- cervical collar
- back board and straps
- Kendrick Extrication Device (KED)

iv. Musculoskeletal

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the musculoskeletal
system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for common musculoskeletal emergencies
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for the following musculoskeletal emergencies:
- injury to upper and lower extremities
- pelvic fracture
- femur fracture

v. Digestive System and Abdomen

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the digestive system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for the following emergencies involving the digestive system and abdomen:
- acute abdominal pain
- evisceration

vi. Endocrine System

- describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the endocrine system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for the following emergencies involving the endocrine system:
- hypoglycemia
- hyperglycemia

vii. Childbirth

- describe the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care for mother
and newborn during emergency childbirth
- describe complications related to childbirth
- describe pre and post-partum care to mother and newborn during emergency
childbirth including neonatal resuscitation

D. Emergency Patient Care

i. Infants and Children

- describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics unique to infants and
children
- describe the developmental characteristics of infants and children
- describe age-related assessment factors for infants and children
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for common medical emergencies for infants and children
- describe the characteristics of special needs children

ii. Older Adults

- describe the impact of changing demographics on the pre-hospital emergency medical care system and the community
- describe the lifestyle behaviours of the older adult and their impact on physiological
and psychological changes
- describe the significant physiological changes of the respiratory, genitourinary,
cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal systems
- describe the patient care management considerations related to the older adult with
a medical condition

E. Common Behavioural/Psychological Conditions and Emergencies

- state the causes of altered mental status
- describe types of behavioural/psychological conditions and emergencies
- describe signs, symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management for
behavioural/psychological conditions, such as depression and suicide
- describe indicators of impending violence and strategies for dealing with the violent
patient
- recognize the signs and symptoms, and access resources for critical incident stress

F. Environmental Incidents - Natural and Human Caused

- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for natural environmental incidents such as hypothermia and hyperthermia
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for natural environmental incidents such as anaphylactic shock
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for human caused environmental incidents such as thermal, chemical and electrical
- describe the signs and symptoms, medical treatment and patient care management
for human caused environmental incidents such as poisons and overdoses

Specific Skill Learning Outcomes

A. Emergency Pre-Hospital Patient Care System

In the practicum section, the learner will:
- participate as an observer of the EMS system in emergency room and paramedic
settings

B. Patient Assessment

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- demonstrate procedures for securing and controlling the emergency care scene
- utilize barrier devices such as gloves, eyewear, and facemasks so that the firefighter
emergency patient care responder and patient(s) are protected from
communicable/infectious diseases
- conduct primary survey using sight, hearing, touch and proper terminology so that
life threatening conditions such as a compromised airway, insufficient respirations,
absence of pulse, and signs of major bleeding can be detected and the necessary
treatment undertaken
- conduct a secondary survey of the patient(s) by carrying out a systematic
head-to-toe examination including monitoring the vital signs so that injuries or
symptoms of illness that present no immediate threat to life are identified and
managed in order to minimize further injury
- demonstrate the procedures for cleaning, disinfecting and replenishing medical
equipment and supplies

C. Common Medical/Trauma Emergencies

i. Respiratory

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- open and maintain a patent airway in situations such as choking or unconsciousness
by using equipment and techniques so that an adequate supply of oxygen may be
delivered to the patient's lungs
- open and maintain an airway using a jaw thrust or modified jaw thrust, as
appropriate, and airway adjuncts
- perform oxygen therapy and administration on a patient
- suction a patient
- assess, provide treatment and patient care management for rib fractures/flail chest,
fractured sternum, tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax and hemothorax

ii. Cardiovascular

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- perform external chest compressions during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation so that
the patient's chest is compressed in the appropriate location, rate, rhythm, and depth
to produce artificial circulation
- demonstrate the patient care management skills required for an individual suffering
from angina and myocardial infarction
- demonstrate the patient care management skills of an individual suffering from TIA
or stroke
- demonstrate the patient care management skills of an individual suffering from
shock

iii. Neurological

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- perform manual C-spine immobilization
- utilize equipment to immobilize the head, neck and spine
- provide patient care management skills required for an individual suffering from
common neurological emergencies


iv. Musculoskeletal

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- assess, provide treatment and patient care management for common
musculoskeletal emergencies

v. Digestive System and abdomen

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- assess and provide patient care management for an abdominal conditions such as
evisceration

vi. Endocrine System

vii. Childbirth

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- provide pre and post-partum care to the mother and newborn during normal
emergency childbirth

D. Emergency Patient Care

i. Infants and Children

ii. Older Adults

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- demonstrate the patient care management considerations related to the older adult
with a medical condition

E. Common Behavioural/Psychological Conditions and Emergencies


F. Environmental Incidents - Natural and Human Caused

At the end of this section, the learner will:
- assess, provide treatment and patient care management for hypothermia,
anaphylactic shock and burns

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
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Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
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