High Demand For EMTs And PCPs

In the past OFA3 and EMR personnel were the staple in first aid response. For low to medium risk work with less than 10 people, these personnel were deemed appropriate for the job at hand.

Over the past year we’ve seen an increase request for higher level of training across all job sites in Alberta and BC. EMTs and PCPs are becoming the new standard for medics that provide emergency services in remote locations.

Here at MTC Rentals we have received triple the requests for EMT gear in our rentals in Alberta alone. After speaking with our customers we have noticed a decent size shift in the level of care that is being requested from prime contractors that are bidding out work.

While this is great news for increasing standards across Canada, let’s look at some of the implications of this trend:

COSTS

There are two increased costs associated with changing from an EMR to EMT.

First we have wages; the difference in training is substantial. EMR, depending on where you take the course is typically a 3 week program with basic knowledge in life saving techniques. There are far more EMRs available on the market with this level of training and typically receive an honest wage.

When we look at EMT as the next level, the time commitment to a 1 year program is usually a very big decision in most people. The training increases to a Basic Life Support level and includes a number of life-saving drugs that require a deeper understanding of anatomy and philology. The EMT is now capable of providing a higher level of life saving techniques that, in turn, requires a higher level of pay.

Wages are usually subjective but can be easily argued that an EMT will receive higher earnings and its former EMR qualifications.

Second is the gear. EMT personnel use slightly more equipment and up to three times as many drugs that are consumed or expire on a regular basis. The increased amount of equipment and drugs create an increase of costs associated with having them on site, especially when these items are utilized in an emergency situation.

The overall costs associated with changing EMRs to EMTs, including wages and equipment, can be estimated at a 20-25% increase to its employer.

AVAILABLITY

There are fewer licensed EMTs than licensed EMRs in Alberta. This creates a high demand for EMT training and forces employers to compete with wages for good quality long lasting employees.

Finding EMTs and keeping them happy is going to be harder and harder as companies switch over to EMT level care.

QUALITY

Overall, the industries moving to EMT based services will receive better treatment and higher level of life saving techniques for all their workers. As job sites become more remote and new workers are introduced, the number of life threatening injuries will increase.

Canada has always been a leader in safety and response in the private sector and will continue to lead the ways as this trend continues.

CONCLUSION

We are excited to see these changes and understand there is a trend happening for more EMTs and PCPs to be hired in industry. We are happy to hear that companies are proactively increasing the level of care for their works but understand that there is a cost associated in doing so.

While certain jobs such as facilities, nursing stations and remote camps already require EMTs, Paramedics and Nurses, these high risk or permanent work sites are not included in this article. The biggest change comes from sites that previously used OFA3 and EMRs in order to comply with OH&S standards, such as pipeline construction, completions, seismic, and other categories that may be considered medium or low risk.

Please visit us at MTCRentals.ca for a quote on Emergency Vehicle Rentals.

By Dion Siluch