First Responders

1.1. Background

The Town of Pincourt’s First Responders service was founded in 1994. A group of citizens, with the Town’s support, established this service made up of volunteers. Since then, several changes have been made to improve the service.

In 1998, the service signed a tripartite protocol for agreement with the C.E.T.A.M. ambulance service and the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de la Montérégie (A.S.S.S.M).

The service currently includes more than thirty First Responders who provide a minimum of 6 hours of stand-by duty a week. We should also mention the daily involvement of the administrative staff.

In 1995, the service responded to approximately 125 calls during the year. In 2006, the service responded to about 615 medical situations.

1.2. Services offered

The First Responders of the Town of Pincourt currently provide the following services:

Medical services
Support to Emergency Services and the Fire Department
Emergency Response Plan
Humanitarian assistance
Other requests that are relevant

1.2.1. Medical Services

Medical services provided by the Town of Pincourt’s First Responders Service require 2 First Responders and one supervisor who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The staff on duty must be available to respond to all calls placed with the health coordination centre (Health Alert) and must remain on the territory of the Town of Pincourt at all times.

1.2.2. Support to Emergency Services and the Fire Department

In the event of a major fire, the Fire Department may count on the medical service support of the Town of Pincourt’s First Responders. Medical services are available for the firefighters on duty as well as the citizens affected by the fire, and for emergency evacuations as well as the maintenance of safety perimeters.

1.2.3. Emergency Response Plan

In emergency situations, such as in the case of the ice storm of 1998, the service initiates its Emergency Response Plan. This may include additional teams to compensate for the lack of prehospital care or simply for the setting up of shelters.

1.2.4. Humanitarian Assistance

Humanitarian Assistance services respond to all non urgent calls that do not require ambulance services, which may include:

Elderly persons, unable to get up;
Assistance for the use of various health appliances.

1.2.5. Other requests that are relevant

The Town of Pincourt’s First Responders Service is on hand during major events such as “Firefighter’s Day” or the Winterfest.

1.3. Members of the First Responder team

1.3.1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is made up of members of the Town of Pincourt’s First Responders who are elected by other members of the organization.

The Executive Committee includes a Director and a Director of Operations.

Director Mr. Yanick Bernier
Director of Operations Mr. Michel Watier

1.3.2. Operations

The Director of the Town of Pincourt’s First Responders Service counts on the support of experienced members for the management of the service: A Director of Operations and 3 Team Leaders. These Team Leaders all take turns being Supervisor for a one week 24 hour a day stand-by period.

Director Mr. Yanick Bernier
Supervisor Mr. Luc Jollet
Supervisor Mr. Patrick Jollet
Supervisor Mr. Paul Prévost

1.3.3. Members of the First Responders Service

The Service is supported by over 30 members who are trained as First Responders. Each must perform a minimum of 6 hours of duty time every week.

Members must be recognized as First Responders by the A.S.S.S.M. in order to be considered as active members of the organization.

New members must first complete a period of probation during which they receive coaching from two on-duty First Responders who are responsible for evaluating their actions. The on-duty First Responders are responsible for the actions of the trainee.

1.4. Equipment

1.4.1. Vehicles

The Town of Pincourt’s First Responders have access to three emergency vehicles that comply with the standards for emergency vehicles and that are inspected by the S.A.A.Q. These vehicles, which are used when responding to calls, make it possible to improve the response time to emergency calls.

Mobile 906-1 Ford, Windstar - this is the main vehicle. It contains all the material used when responding to various types of calls carried out by the service.
Mobile 906-2 Dodge, Caravan - this is the secondary vehicle. It contains the equipment required for basic vital support.
Mobile 9006 Pontiac, Montana – the supervision vehicle that also contains equipment required for basic vital support.

1.4.2. Communications

Different types of communication systems are used by the Town of Pincourt’s First Responders Service.

400 MHz radios: These radios are used for internal communication as well as all communications made prior to calling the 9-1-1 CAUCA station.
Licenses are the property of the Town of Pincourt’s Emergency Services and Fire Department.
800 MHz radios: These radios are used for communications with the health coordination centre for emergency calls for medical assistance.
The licenses are the property of Groupe Alerte Santé.
Paging devices: The alphanumeric pagers are used for emergency calls assigned by the health coordination centre and for internal communications.