Labrador woman sounds alarm after being blocked from becoming first responder due to age

A woman from southern Labrador thought she had the perfect plan to help pay for her university education and have zero debt after graduation, but then reality intervened.

Aimee Buckle, 18, of Forteau wanted to be an emergency medical responder, driving an ambulance while taking university classes online. Things didn't turn out that way, though, because ofher age.

"A lot of my family and close friends work on the ambulance home, so it just kind of drew me to that," Buckle told CBCRadio's Labrador Morning.

"I had to go to St. John's and do a two-week course through Eastern Safety (Services) so I could work on the ambulance, but I still have to be with a paramedic at all times."

Emergency medical responder training

The training allows for Buckle to checkblood pressure, heart rate and assist the paramedic. Meanwhile, the job calls for the emergency medical responder to alsodrive the ambulance while the paramedic tends topatients.

After applying for the job in Forteau, Buckle was shocked to learnshe needed aClass 4 licence to drive an ambulance in thisprovince.

"I was told I couldn't get it for another 10 months," Buckle said, adding she was told she needed more driving experience before being able to write the test.

"I got my licence as soon as I could when I was 16, but now in order to get my Class 4 I need to be 19."

Buckle said her age never came up during her training, andshe worriesthe job won't be there in 10 months' time.

On top of that,she says she's out over $2,000 forthe course, plus more on topdue totravel costs, food and lodging.

"It's really frustrating knowing that they made it available to do the course, knowing that I still can't get a job until I get my Class 4," she said.

"You can do that [course]right after high school."

Provincial response

CBCcontacted the province for comment, and was told in a statement the program in this province focuses on driving experience versus age.

"Driving an ambulance to and from a scene of a medical emergency is statistically more dangerous than normal day-to-day driving," the statement said.

"Having a skilled and experienced driver is critical to patient and passenger safety, and to the safety of other motorists and pedestrians on the road."

Service NLsaid it is not considering removing or reducing restrictions for commercial class driving licenses.

With files from The Corner Brook Morning Show

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