Chatham-Kent staff are recommending that the status quo remain in effect for the next two years for land ambulance services in the community.
A report by Ken Stuebing, C-K’s fire paramedic chief, is asking council to approve an agreement with Medavie EMS for a two year term for $10,463,416 for 2017 and $10,678,325 for 2018. However, Stuebing is still asking for council’s approval to negotiate ‘Model C’ – a blended fire-paramedic Service.
“Although there have been many productive conversations with various stakeholders regarding this matter, more time is required to ensure all aspects of this plan are properly in place and fully understood by all parties before council is asked to approve a change in the service delivery model for EMS,” Stuebing said in his report.
Stuebing said in his report some recent developments have led to the change in recommendation.
He said on June 14, Premier Kathleen Wynne made an announcement regarding the Provincial Government’s plan to allow full-time firefighters who are certified Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) to practice their PCP skills while working on a fire apparatus.
“As a result of this very recent announcement, further investigation is required to determine the impact on EMS and Fire services in Chatham-Kent,” Stuebing said.
In addition to the Premier’s announcement, Stuebing said various stakeholders, including the Chatham-Kent Professional Firefighter’s Association (CKPFFA), AMO, the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs have asked to be consulted regarding this announcement.
“Following this consultation, more information will be required for Council to consider the Municipality’s best long-term interest,” Stuebing said in his report.
Paramedics who work for Medavie EMS have expressed concerns about how a change in the service delivery model might impact their jobs, Stuebing added.
Approximately 200 paramedics, union workers and supporters – some coming from from Toronto, London, Elgin, Windsor and Lambton – marched from the emergecny room in Chatham to the downtown municipal building to express their concern about the proposed blending of services on June 14.
“The most important thing in this is whole process is that the paramedics have been ignored completely,” Chris Stolte, executive board member with SEIU Local 1 Canada, told the Sydenham Current outside the Civic Centre.
“You have people that have worked in Chatham-Kent for 30 years and the door is being slammed in their face. It’s just not right, it’s not fair and he’s got to work with us.”
Stolte added: “We haven’t been consulted whatsoever and we think the proposals he has brought forward are flawed.”
The current EMS contract is set to expire on December 31 this year and the Municipality must provide six months’ notice to the current contractor of its intentions to renew the contract, Stuebing’s report states.
Council is set to vote on the recommendations at their Monday, June 27 meeting.
The meeting gets started at the Civic Centre in downtown Chatham at 6 p.m.
Here is more background:
– Paramedics rally against blended service proposal
