Remote Manitoba First Nation with no ambulance service gets new emergency medical response vehicle

A remote First Nation community in eastern Manitoba is celebrating the arrival of a new emergency response vehicle that will greatly improve the transportation of people in need of medical treatment. Poplar River First Nation, home to around 1,200 residents, has previously relied on makeshift methods of transportation such as pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans to move patients to medical facilities. However, these methods were uncomfortable and inefficient, prompting the need for a more suitable solution.

The new emergency medical response vehicle, which arrived in the community earlier this month, was custom-built to withstand the rough roads in and around Poplar River. The vehicle, described as more of a first-aid vehicle than a traditional ambulance, was driven up to the First Nation via winter roads. The Southeast Resource Development Council, which provides services to eight First Nations, is working with Manitoba authorities to ensure that the vehicle meets the province’s regulatory requirements.

Dave Schellenberg, the SERDC’s emergency response co-ordinator, explained that while the vehicle is not technically an ambulance, it serves a vital role in assisting with medevacs and responding to emergencies in the community. The goal is to eventually expand its use to provide improved medical transportation services in other isolated First Nations communities that lack access to ambulances.

The province is currently reviewing the vehicle to ensure it meets stretcher transportation regulatory requirements and that staff are properly trained to operate it. While the vehicle is already being used with the approval of the nurse in charge and with a paramedic on board, the community is working towards obtaining the necessary licensing to operate it as an ambulance.

Funded by the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, the Ford F-350 truck cost around $300,000 and includes a year’s worth of medical supplies. Its custom-built fibreglass capsule is filled with essential medical equipment and supplies, providing a safe and efficient means of transporting patients in need of treatment.

In preparation for the vehicle’s deployment, eight community members completed a three-week advanced first-aid course tailored to emergency and medical situations that may arise in First Nations communities. This training ensures that local residents are equipped to operate the vehicle and provide necessary medical care to their fellow community members.

The arrival of the new emergency response vehicle in Poplar River First Nation represents a significant step towards improving medical transportation services in remote and isolated communities. By thinking outside the box and implementing innovative solutions, the community is setting a standard for how First Nations can support and care for their residents in times of need.