Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews announced firefighters in Warrnambool and Portland would receive emergency medical response (EMR) training as part of a statewide initiative should Labor win the upcoming election. 

Premier and member for South West Coast Denis Napthine revealed a plan for compulsory first aid training for Victorian year 9 school students.

Mr Andrews said firefighters at the Warrnambool and Portland integrated CFA stations would be able to help in medical emergencies as a way of alleviating the pressures on paramedics in the region. 

The plan would involve firefighters being dispatched at the same time as paramedics.

Melbourne Fire Brigade firefighters have received EMR training since 2001 and have been able to respond to incidents involving cardiac arrests and non-breathing patients before ambulances on many occasions. Mr Andrews said defibrillators would also be installed in fire trucks and firefighters would be able to provide basic life support and give CPR.

He said that in the first two years of an EMR trial carried out by the CFA, response times were reduced by more than four minutes for 90 per cent of incidents.

Community safety is to also get a boost under a proposal by the state Coalition government.

Member for South West Coast and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine yesterday announced a plan to train every year 9 school student in first aid if the Coalition was re-elected.

The $21 million, four-year program will be rolled out from next year.

“This will be a proper certificated first aid qualification. It will make the community safer, whether it be at school, at work, at home, in the street or on the beach,” Dr Napthine said.

The program will start in some schools next year and will be rolled out to every school in the state from 2016. Dr Napthine said the training would be provided by St Johns Ambulance, the Red Cross and other qualified agencies.

Students will be trained to level 2, covering CPR, defibrillator operation and dealing with injuries and emergencies such as allergic reactions.

The course will be completed in school time, taking either two days full-time, or one day if the student undertakes preliminary work online.

“We chose year 9 because it is a time when students are developing independence and confidence. 

“It will be a great boost to their personal development. It will also give students a qualification that might help them when they apply for a job.”

Dr Napthine was unable to say if any south-west schools will be involved during the first year.

shynes@fairfaxmedia.com.au