EMR FAQs
Do I still need to ask for an ambulance?
Yes. In a medical emergency you must dial 000 and ask for ambulance to get the quickest and best possible help.
Will I have to pay more?
There is no additional charge for this service.
What training do firefighters have?
Firefighters are trained to provide advanced first aid care including oxygen resuscitation, CPR and defibrillation. When required, firefighters may also provide assistance to ambulance paramedics.
What are the program benefits?
Two minutes have been cut from the response time to cardiac arrest cases in the metropolitan fire district under the program. This program and the expansion of emergency and MICA ambulance services in Melbourne in recent years is life saving. See our annual report for statistics and highlights of the program.
What is the background of EMR?
1994 public bodies review committee recommendation.
It was recommended that the MFB extend its role to include an emergency medical 'first responder' role in support of, and at the request of the Metropolitan Ambulance Service.
1998 initial pilot program
The Victorian Government determined that a six-month pilot be started to assess whether the simultaneous dispatch of fire and ambulance resources to life threatening medical emergencies involved in cardiac arrest would lead to more rapid response times, improving survival chances for the patient.
The pilot program, known as EMR First Responder went from 14 July 1998 to 14 January 1999. It was evaluated by Monash University Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine using data collected for all cardiac arrest events. Initial data indicated that both response times and time to defibrillation were reduced in the pilot area. There was however, an insufficient number of cardiac arrest cases to draw significant conclusions.
2000 extended pilot
On 8 February the EMR First Responder program rolled out across the metropolitan fire district as an extended 12-month pilot until 8 February 2001. Results confirmed the benefits of firefighters working as first responders.
2001 program confirmed
In December 2001, the Victorian Government confirmed the program as part of MFB core business.