History: Training and Equipment in October 1993 a small dedicated MFB Emergency Medical Services (EMS) project team was appointed by the then CFO Jeff Godfredson. The team (later to become the EMS Department), consisted of District Officer Denis Rich, Station Officer Allan Morton, Medical Advisor, Dr. Ian Millar (January 1994). Subsequently in 1996 Leading Firefighter Brian Whittaker and David Shugg from Monash University Centre for Ambulance and Paramedical Studies (MUCAPS) also joined the Department. This group became responsible for all facets of the EMR First Responder program; including the development and implementation of the role, training of emergency response personnel (skills acquisition, continuing education and recertification programs), development of operational and clinical procedures, researching, developing and sourcing of equipment and development of specific support services. The first EMR First Responder training programs for firefighters were undertaken with the Ambulance Officers Training Centre (March 1994) and then Deakin University, (July, November 1994). Both these training programs were subsequently ceased due to firstly political intervention and then EB industrial disputation (November 1994) which resulted in the whole EMR program being stopped by the then CFO, Jeff Godfredson due to the UFU rejection of the Enterprise Bargaining package on offer. During this period of cessation of the training, various overseas study tours were undertaken by members of the EMS Project Team researching the operations of Fire Service based First Responder Programs: 1994 Denis Rich (MFB) and David Ryan (MAS), - UK and USA (Joint Emergency Services Foundation Scholarship)