Robert Paterson

You feel short of breath and a sharp pain in your chest. You dial 911. In minutes, a team of Brome Lake First Responders arrives. One of them is a neighbour. They stabilize you just as the ambulance and paramedics pull in. You survive the heart attack.

So, who are these neighbours, and how might you become one?

Currently, Brome Lake has 26 active First Responders, but the team can hold up to 32 members. Ideally, recruits are in their 40s or early 50s, although members can continue to serve up to age 70 if they remain fit. For this reason, the cutoff age for recruits is 67. First

Responders arrive quickly, and stabilize and assess individuals in need. They cover Brome Lake, West Bolton, and 10 kilometres of Highway 10. Thanks to two fully equipped response vehicles, First Responders typically arrive on the scene within 15 minutes. Each member commits to four 12-hour shifts a month, usually from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., which can be challenging for those with young families or demanding jobs. With an average of 1.3 calls per shift, they respond to around 400 to 450 calls annually. First Responders are never alone; both trucks are dispatched, and an ambulance and sometimes police are on the way as backup. If two emergencies occur simultaneously, another First Responder or a supervisor will step in.

Successful candidates receive over 60 hours of training in CPR, wound care, childbirth, trauma, and medical emergencies. Additionally, they must pass a 4A driver’s license exam to drive an emergency vehicle. The Town of Brome Lake covers all costs for training, uniforms, equipment, medical exams, and vaccinations and provides compensation for shifts, whether or not calls come in. 

Helping people in need can make this role emotionally intense. At times, they have even responded to emergencies involving their own family members. To support them, five local First Responders and Firefighters have received specialized training through Actitude Plus to counsel peers dealing with stress.

In Brome Lake, First Responders are more than emergency personnel—they’re neighbours, family and friends who work together to make the community safer.

If you are interested in becoming a First Responder, email Alan Bowbrick at premier.repondant@lacbrome.ca or call Town Hall at 450 243 6111.