Dealing with disasters and emergency situations can be very stressful and rewarding at the same time. Being an emergency responder is challenging and requires a lot of focus, good decision making and responsibility. Not everyone can do the job and handle the responsibilities the right way. You have to be tough and compassionate at the same time. It’s challenging and you might experience unpleasant situations such as life-and-death situations, human suffering, risk of harming yourself and intense work tasks. Your phycological strength will be your greatest asset in this work. If you manage your stress well, you’ll be able to help people.
How to Become an Emergency Responder
An emergency responder is a person who arrives immediately at an incident location and offers optimal care to victims. You must make a preliminary evaluation and diagnostics of the patients, provide first aid or life support, stabilise the patients, and then transport them to hospitals. Additionally, you should keep an eye on patients while they’re transported and report back on their health status and treatment response. There are many situations you can encounter, such as childbirth, airway obstruction, intense bleeding or shock. Between emergencies, you need to restock your well-supplied first responder kits and maintain the communication equipment and transport vehicles.
Have a High School Diploma
The first thing you need to become an emergency responder is a high school diploma or pass the G.E.D (general educational development) test. If you have any courses in science, math or English, they’ll be of great help during the training phase because of the background knowledge they offer. Some high schools in Australia even offer classes to familiarise you with the procedures and the equipment that an emergency responder has to know how to use.
Join a Training Program
The second step is joining a training program. There are 3 levels of training you can pass, EMT basic, EMT intermediate and EMT paramedic. You can find these training programs in community colleges, technical academies and vocational schools all over Australia. During the training period, medical experts and certified medical personnel will teach you how to respond to:
- Trauma;
- Respiratory issues;
- Cardiac arrest.
And learn how to use medical equipment such as:
- Oxygen delivery equipment;
- Suction devices;
- Defibrillators;
- Backboards.
If you choose the EMT intermediate program, you’ll get an introduction and proper training in basic pharmacology, advanced patient assessment and IV fluid treatments. Some of these programs even award a 2-year associate’s degree.
Get a Certification and a License
To work as an emergency responder, you’ll need to get a license. It’s a must-have that will get you going on the job. But remember, to get the license, you need to be over 18 years old and have at least one of the 3 programs mentioned above. The exam you need to take has 2 parts. The first one is a written test and the second one is a practical or psychomotor one. The first time you pass the test it’s valid for one year. Every other renewal is valid for 2 years.
Get a Job
Getting a job with the EMT courses and a certificate is easy. There will always be emergencies and disasters where people get hurt, and your assistance is needed. Ambulance services are the biggest employer for emergency responders, but you can also get a job in local hospitals, private physicians and outpatient facilities. Every year, more and more people volunteer and make a change in someone’s life. Because of the skills, you’ll acquire, you’ll have the ability to assist in many different workplaces and industries. Some of them are:
- Power and energy;
- Industrial;
- Defence;
- Maritime;
- Mining;
- Aviation;
- Construction;
- Offshore oil and gas etc.
What are Your Work Responsibilities?
The first thing you need to do is communicate. Communication is key in this job. If you know how and when to give and receive information about possible injuries, complications, location and time management, you’ve done half the job. You should always check the quality of the equipment you’re working with. Starting with the medical equipment, transporting vehicles and everything in between. You should be able to detect any hazardous material at the place of the incident and remove them if possible. Working safely and following any rules and policies you might have is crucial because any disobedience can lead to catastrophic results.
You need to have control over any given situation no matter the risk and levels of stress and injury. Carefully prepare the equipment and know how to use each and every part of it. You should know how to conduct underground research and perform rescue operations in confined places. And of course, you should know how to extricate causalities from an underground incident.
What’s a Buddy System?
Usually, 2 responders partner together in order to be more efficient and ready to do their job right. This is called the buddy system and they monitor each other’s work, stress and safety and provide support. Both of you need to talk and get to know each other. Talk about your life, interests, strengths and weaknesses. Always keep an eye on your partner when you work at the same location. Check in with each other, listen and share experiences and feelings. Share your supplies and transportation. When possible, encourage your partner to take a break and make them feel safe. These are all the foundations for maintaining a good buddy system.
Have a Well-Stocked First Responder Kit
A well-supplied first aid kit will be a lifesaver in many situations. You should know what each tool does, and how to use it. Before going out in an emergency make sure you have everything you need in your kit. And if you use any of the supplies, make sure you replace them when you get back to the station. Make this a habit and you’ll be prepared for the next emergency without a doubt. The first responder kits should have:
- Exam gloves;
- Sterile conforming gauze;
- Bandages;
- Trauma pads;
- Trauma dressing;
- Alcohol wipes;
- CPR face shield;
- Triangular bandage;
- Bandage shears;
- Forceps;
- Cloth tape;
- Elastic bandage wrap;
- Waterproof tape;
- Eyewash bottle and eye pads;
- Cold pack;
- Sterile gauze pads;
- Resealable plastic bags;
- Burn gel;
- Tourniquet;
- Antibiotic ointment packets;
- Aspirin;
- Glucose.
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