EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

M I N U T E S EPSC-2002-2

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee met on April 25, 2002 at 10:03 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

Councillor Seglins presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-10-2002:

That the agenda for April 25, 2002, Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting, be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Dianne Rende, Executive Director, St. John Ambulance and Richard Renaud, Training Officer, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services, Providing Information on Mississauga's Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program (As requested by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee under Resolution 2002-265)

Received

The delegation provided information on strategies used in the development of the Mississauga PAD program, called "The Beat Goes On", specifically with regard to campaign partners. In addition, information on the funding of the program was presented, with the delegation noting that the only added costs to the City of Mississauga related to the fee required by the doctor, required for the operation of the program.

Councillor Seglins thanked the delegation for their presentation and inquired with Boyd Finger, Fire Chief, Town of Caledon as to the application of similar strategies for the Town of Caledon given the volunteer nature of the service. He responded that volunteers would donate their time, but costs would still be involved related to training.

Councillor Frank Dale highlighted the contributions of corporate sponsors in the operation of the Mississauga PAD program.

4. PEEL REGIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICES

a) Hospital Emergency Department Delays

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-11-2002:

That the staff of Credit Valley Hospital (CVC), Headwaters Health Care Corporation (HHCC), Trillium Health Care Corporation (THCC), William Osler Health Care Corporation (WOSC), being the hospitals were most of the patients of Peel Regional Ambulance Services (PRAS) are received at Emergency Departments, and the Medical Director and staff of the Peel Base Hospital Program and the staff of the Halton-Peel District Health Council (HPDHC), be thanked for their participation in the ongoing discussions to find ways to reduce delays for ambulance crews at Emergency Departments;

And further, that all parties are strongly urged to continue to work co-operatively and employ every means possible to reduce delays for ambulance crews at Emergency Departments so that adequate and effective emergency medical response can be maintained in the Region of Peel;

And further, that the Province be strongly urged to ensure that hospitals have the necessary funding and staffing to be able to manage all aspects of the emergency care system within the hospital.

Councillor Morrison advised members of the EPSC that herself and Councillor DiMarco are members of the Halton-Peel District Health Council and suggested that Regional staff appear before the District Health Council to advise of the challenges of hospital emergency department delays related to Peel Regional Ambulance Service.

b) World Youth Day 2002

Received

Subcommittee members discussed the possible pressures on the Region's emergency services that would arise from the event.

Councillor Prentice asserted that there should not be any added costs to taxpayers for this event, an initiative of the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada.

Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor advised that the Health Department was preparing a further report on this issue at an upcoming General Committee meeting, and suggested that further discussion of cost issues related to World youth Day 2002 take place at that point.

c) 2001 Inter-Municipal Calls for Ambulance Service

Received

Councillor Morrison discussed the challenges of ambulance coverage in Caledon given inter-municipal calls for Peel's ambulance service.

Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor advised that staff were reviewing the coverage plan for a report at a future Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting.

d) Communication: Malcolm Bates, Director, Emergency Health Services Branch, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Letter dated March 6, 2002, Responding to Chair Kolb's Correspondence Requesting an Increase to Land Ambulance Services Grant

Received

e) Communication: John King, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Care Programs, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Letter dated March 25, 2002, Advising of Peel's Eligibility to Receive $655,000 for the Purchase of New Ambulance Vehicles and Equipment

Received

5. EMERGENCY PROGRAMS

a) Communication: Cheri Cowan, Clerk, Town of Caledon, Letter dated March 19, 2002, Regarding Bill 48 - The Emergency Readiness Act and Caledon's Participation on Emergency Planning Co-ordination Committee

Received

6. POLICE SERVICES BOARD PROTOCOL

a) Communication: Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board (PPSB), Letter dated March 18, 2002, Providing PPSB 2001 Annual Report on Board Activities

Received

Councillor Prentice indicated that in order to make this information more meaningful for members of the Subcommittee, more information on the time commitment of Police Services Board members is required, such as the type of events noted in the Annual Report, as well attendance at those events.

b) Communication: Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board (PPSB), Letter dated March 28, 2002, Providing Hate/Bias Motivated Crime Statistics - 2001

Received

c) Communication: Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board (PPSB), Letter dated April 3, 2002, Advising of Order-In-Council for Mr. James Murray as a Member of the PPSB for a Further Period of One Year Effective January 23, 2002

Received

7. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee is scheduled for June 27, 2002 at 9:30 a.m.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.