After release of the new National MFR Services Administration Manual, it has come to many members attention that the update to MFR scope of practice has been greatly restricted and in many cases reduced. No open consultation was done with members within the province.

This petition is to serve as an official request from the general membership to our Provincial Commissioner and Provincial Training Officer to protest the planned changes, which prove to hamper all progress, and work to add existing and improved training to the new National MFR Scope of Practice.

Below is a highlight of reduced and restricted scope of practice for the new MFR:

- Removal of NPA's for airway
- No use or training of stretcher or other advanced lifting devices
- Removal of spinal immobilization devices
- No addition of pulse oximeters or glucometric testing which lower level training includes both of these devices.
- Removal of all medication from MFR kits including ASA (Aspirin). ASA is now directed to be taken over the phone when a cardiac chest pain patient calls 911. Our volunteers are NOT allowed to carry even this basic, essential over the counter medication. This is completely contrary to the current research regarding patient care for cardiac chest pain. In addition, kits can't even include Glucogel (Sugar) for diabetic emergencies.
- Removal of life saving bleed control techniques including, indirect pressure points, and removal of tourniquets
- Reduced training on traction splinting. Used to follow manufacturer guidelines for fracture management using a Sager splint... now reduced to ONLY applying traction to a closed mid-third femur fracture and nothing for a mid third Tib-Fib fracture
- Restrictions on higher level trained members such as Paramedics, Nurses, and Doctors from operating at their level of training. These members must only work to the MFR scope of practice. This greatly restricts the higher trained members and will prove to discourage them from joining SJA as essentiallythey are becoming "first-aiders." Higher trained members are now threatened with dismissal if they fail to treat patients at the lower MFR level.
- Use of manual hand suction VS electric suction. Manual suction is ineffective, especially compared to electric suctioning. This is one of the most bizarre restrictions
- Huge gaps in training reference material as the current MFR text book includes several pieces of non approved information and equipment which seems useless considering it’s not included in the scope of practice and will create many cases of confusion.

Our organization is standing in the way of progress and advancement of skills and services that the Brigade has been known to provide. We are becoming ever closer to being JUST "first aid" rather than trained Medical First Responders. The lower trained fire dept first responders will now have more training and tools in there bag as compared to this new MFR.