EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

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 Palleschi presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-12-2002:

That the agenda for November 7, 2002 Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Bryan Weaver, Assistant Emergency Co-ordinator, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Regarding ARES Activities and the Donation of Decommissioned Peel Regional Ambulance Services (PRAS) Vehicles to ARES

Received

See also Item Related to Peel Ambulance Services - Item 4e

Bryan Weaver, Assistant Emergency Co-ordinator, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) introduced Vic Henderson and Paul Allen, also from ARES, who were present.

Councillor Seglins arrived at 9:47 a.m.

b) Norma Prior, Branch Manager, St. John Ambulance, Brampton Branch, Regarding St. John Ambulance Activities and the Donation of a Peel Regional Ambulance Services (PRAS) Vehicle to St. John Ambulance

Received

See also Item Related to Peel Ambulance Services - Item 4e

Councillor Prentice requested that staff look into how and from what organization the Mississauga Branch of St. John Ambulance received its decommissioned ambulance.

Item Related to Peel Regional Ambulance Services - Item 4e was dealt with

e) Disposal/Donation of Decommissioned Ambulances

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-13-2002:

That two decommissioned ambulances be donated to the non-profit organization of Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES);

And further, that one decommissioned ambulance be donated to the non-profit organization of St. John Ambulance (SJA);

And further, that the Region of Peel dispose of the remaining twelve decommissioned vehicles via a public auction house;

And further, that proceeds from the auction be deposited in the Ambulance Program Working Fund R1212;

And further, that an internal procedure for the timely disposal of future decommissioned vehicles and related equipment, in accordance with the Purchasing by-law, be drafted and presented to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee (EPSC) for consideration.

See also Items Related to Delegations/Presentation - Items 3a and 3b

Councillor Palleschi introduced Peter Dundas, General Manager of Ambulance and Emergency Programs to the Committee and those in attendance.

4. PEEL REGIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICES

a) Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Additional Funding Announcements

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-14-2002:

That staff prepare and submit a business case for increased base funding for the ambulance program from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care immediately;

And further, that copies of the submission be circulated to members of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee;

And further, that staff prepare a motion for presentation at the November 14, 2002 General Committee meeting to send to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding the issue of funding from the Ministry, as well as the impact of provincial policy on ambulance service costs, such as those related to hospital emergency department delays;

And further, that a representative from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care be invited to the next meeting of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

b) Hospital Emergency Department Delays - Update

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-15-2002:

That Council support ongoing dialogue and discussions with Peel Health Partners in addressing hospital emergency department delays at area hospitals and the initiation of a Transfer of Care Protocol between the Region of Peel and area receiving hospitals;

And further, that the Region of Peel support the Halton-Peel Emergency Services Network recommendations contained in their February 2002 "Review of the Halton-Peel Local Agreement for the Patient Priority System" and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care be so advised.

Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor presented a recent CTV National News report on paramedics forced to wait in hospital emergency rooms before transferring patients into the hospital's care. The title of the piece was "CTV News: Emergency Service in need of immediate care: report" and was reported by Avis Favaro.

Councillor Mullin requested that Steve Isaak, Executive Director of Halton-Peel District Health Council be invited to a future Regional Council meeting to discuss this issue. Chair Kolb undertook to meet with the new Chief Executive Officer of the William Osler Health Centre and to discuss the impact of hospital emergency room delays on Peel's ambulance services.

c) 2002 and 2003 Coverage Plan

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-16-2002:

That the emergency medical coverage enhancement plan of 336 weekly additional system hours for 2003 be approved subject to 2003 budget approval.

d) 2003 Fleet Management Planning

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-17-2002:

That a contract with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Emergency Health Services Branch be entered into for the purchase of seven (7) ambulances, three (3) Emergency Response Vehicles, and related patient transportation and medical equipment in 2003 for a total approximate value of $1,090,000, including applicable taxes, subject to Regional Council approval of the 2003 Capital Budget;

And further, that the necessary funds for this purchase be provided from Capital Project No. 01-7900 upon approval of the 2003 Capital Budget;

And further, that a spare to front-line ambulance ratio of a minimum of one spare to two front-line ambulances be adopted;

And further, that this ratio be phased in as soon as reasonably possible;

And further, that the contract with Rowland Auto Electric Inc. be extended for an additional year for the maintenance and repair of Peel Regional Ambulance Services fleet commencing January 1, 2003 and continuing until December 31, 2003 pending successful price negotiation for the next year. The estimated contract value is $550,000.

e) Disposal/Donation of Decommissioned Ambulances

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting

f) Ambulance Contract Service Review

Received

Councillor Morrison departed at 12:04 p.m., due to other municipal business

g) News Release: From the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), dated October 8, 2002, Regarding the New Flu Control Standard Established by the Province

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-18-2002:

Whereas the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) previously legislated all paramedics to be immunized against influenza on an annual basis unless medically contraindicated;

And whereas the MOHLTC has repealed this legislation and now requires operators to ensure that between October 31 to March 31 of each year unimmunized paramedics do not provide patient care in the local service area surrounding an influenza outbreak;

And whereas the MOHLTC communications centre has the sole accountability and responsibility to oversee, control and direct the deployment of ambulances and paramedics to responses;

And whereas the MOHLTC is accountable for the review of the standards of practise as defined in the Communicable Disease Standard as well as the Patient Care and Transportation Standard as made under Regulation 257/00 made under the Ambulance Act;

Therefore, be it resolved that the MOHLTC, in consultation with the operators, be requested to develop a standard of practise which provides the most appropriate and prompt response by an ambulance;

And further, the MOHLTC ensure that the Ministry communication centres be directed to monitor and deploy the most appropriate ambulance during a declared outbreak of influenza;

And further, that the Region of Peel requests the Provincial Government to review this standard with all Ministries responsible for first response programs;

And further, that a copy of this resolution be circulated to the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario;

And further, that the area municipalities of the Region of Peel be made aware of this standard in order to adopt adequate protocols with their first response teams to ensure the safety of their residents and staff;

And further, that a copy of this resolution be circulated to all Upper Tier Municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSAB) in Ontario through the Chair of The Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Ontario (AMEMSO), to the Co-chairs of the Land Ambulance Implementation Steering Committee (LAISC), and to Peel area MPP's.

5. EMERGENCY PROGRAMS

a) 9-1-1 Awareness Week, December 9 to 13, 2002

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-19-2002:

That the week of December 9 to 13, 2002, be proclaimed "9-1-1 Awareness Week" in the Region of Peel (the Region);

And further, that the emergency communicators throughout the Region be commended for their exemplary dedication to public safety.

6. POLICE SERVICES BOARD PROTOCOL

7. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee is scheduled for February 20, 2003 at 9:30 a.m.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

a) The Volunteer Firefighters Employment Protection Act, 2002

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-20-2002:

That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommend that the Regional Council provide support for Bill 30 which provides the opportunity for professional firefighters to offer to serve as volunteer firefighters in other fire services on their own time;

And further, that all Peel MPPs be encouraged to support Bill 30 in its final reading.

It was noted at the meeting that the three fire services within the Region also supported the Volunteer Firefighters Employment Protection Act, 2002.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:14 p.m.