Policy 3302: Advanced First Aid Responder

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA  98908

POLICY #                                   3302

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE     

EFFECTIVE DATE:                     01/01/18

POLICY TITLE:                          ADVANCED FIRST AID RESPONDER

REFERENCE:                             WAC 296-305-01515 First-aid training and certification.

RCW 52.02.020(1) Districts authorized—Health clinic services.

RCW 4.24.300 Immunity from liability for certain types of medical care.

Public Duty Doctrine

1.0     PURPOSE

Providing emergency medical services (EMS) is one of the statutory duties for fire districts, the public duty doctrine protects the exercise of a statutory duty which for fire districts includes EMS.

It is the purpose of Yakima County Fire District 12 to establish a policy for training, certifying, re-certifying and outlining skills advanced first aid responder certified members are authorized to perform in the field.

The Fire Chief has the overall responsibility for the enforcement of this policy with each member.

2.0      INITIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

2.1    Advanced First Aid (AFA) training is based on the skills an AFA Responder will perform in the field both individually and as a crew working under the direction of an EMT.  This training is to treat signs and symptoms with specific skills not to diagnose patients.

2.2    20 hours of first aid/CPR training in the following disciplines:

2.2.1 Body substance isolation, scene safety, patient assessment and vitals.

2.2.2 American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR/AED course, foreign body obstruction, airway.

2.2.3 Trauma care: bleeding control, shock, splinting and bandaging.

2.2.4 Extrication, patient handling, cervical collar, backboard and pelvic splint.

2.2.5 Oxygen therapy preparation, EMT assist, sudden illness medical care.

2.2.6 Hands on practical training in all subjects.

3.0     CERTIFICATION

3.1   Members successfully completing 20 hours of initial training will be certified by Yakima County Fire District 12 in Advanced First Aid Responder.

3.2    Certification is for a thirty-six month period of time.

3.3    Certification requires the member to successfully pass a practical examination based on the skills taught in the course.

3.4    Certificates are to be signed by the Fire Chief and maintained in the member’s official training record.

4.0     ONGOING TRAINING

          4.1    AFA Providers are required to attend 12 hours of hands on EMS training during their certification period (36 months) to qualify for renewal.

          4.2    Yakima County Ongoing Training and Evaluation Program (OTEP) workshops are used to provide ongoing training to AFA responders. 

          4.3    AFA Responders must participate at their training level in six OTEP workshops during their 36 month certification period with at least one workshop being CPR/AED.

5.0     RE-CERTIFICATION

          5.1    Members that successfully complete 12 hours of hands on OTEP workshop training including at least one workshop on CPR/AED will be re-issued a certificate from Yakima County Fire District 12 signed by the Fire Chief and maintained in the member’s official training record.

          5.2    OTEP workshop participation is tracked through the member signing the drill roster and the training entered into the District emergency reporting system.

6.0     SKILLS AFA RESPONDERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM

          Members certified in Advanced First Aid Responder are certified by the Fire District to provide care within their level of training which includes:

          6.1 Patient Assessment – sick/not sick and trauma.

          6.2 Vital Signs- pulse, blood pressure, blood chemistry analysis-glucometry, pulse oximetry, respirations and temperature.

          6.3 CPR/AED/Airway- treatment with cardiopulmonary recitation BLS provider level, automated external defibrillator, foreign body obstruction removal, suctioning upper airway, airway management, head tilt/chin lift, modified chin lift, jaw thrust, positive pressure ventilation – bag valve mask.

          6.4 Trauma Care- hemorrhage control- direct pressure, tourniquet, bandaging.  Positional treatment for shock (not MAST pants), extremity injury mobilization manual and mechanical including splinting.

          6.5 Extrication- Cervical spine stabilization- manual and cervical collar placement, head bed.  Spinal motion restriction/immobilization- backboard, spider straps.  Patient handling- clam shell, sheet, tarp, log roll and gurney.  Application of pelvic splint.

          6.6 Oxygen Therapy- set up and preparation including, tank, hose, mask or cannula for administration by EMR/EMT/EMTP.

          6.7 EMT Assist- Under the direction of an on scene EMT or higher certified provider the AFA Responder is authorized to assist in patient treatment not specifically identified in this policy.