EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

MINUTES EPSC-2011-1

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee met on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 8:45 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

________________________________
* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

V. Montesdeoca, Committee Clerk, presided.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-1-2011:

That Councillor Palleschi be appointed Chair of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for the term ending November 30, 2012, or until a successor is appointed.

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-2-2011:

That Councillor McFadden be appointed Vice-Chair of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for the term ending November 30, 2012, or until a successor is appointed.

Councillor P. Palleschi assumed the Chair.

2. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-1-2011:

That the agenda for the March 24, 2011, Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting be approved.

Councillor Saito* arrived at 8:49 a.m
Councillor Morrison* arrived at 8:50 a.m

4. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Peter Dundas, Chief and Director, Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Providing an Overview of Peel Regional Paramedic Services - Orientation for the 2011-2014 Members of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee (EPSC)

Received

Peter Dundas Chief and Director, Peel Regional Paramedic Services provided an overview of Peel Regional Paramedic Services. Topics covered included the Committee’s mandate; system partners; snapshot of the next year; program leadership; scope of paramedic care; ten year capital facility plan; patient outcomes; system pressures; and term of Council priorities.

A copy of the presentation is available at the office of the Regional Clerk.

Councillor Paterak Paterak inquired about the 80,000 responses to emergency calls, and how many calls were going outside of the Region of Peel’s borders. Peter Dundas replied that it is difficult to know the precise number. However, the proportion coming into our borders from places like Dufferin County is larger than the amount for Peel going into their municipality. Councillor Paterak requested clarification regarding the statistic of over 48,000 km travelled by Paramedic Services and asked if this figure pertained to each ambulance vehicle. Peter Dundas replied that he would look into this figure and provide clarification.

Councillor Morrison inquired if hospitals were being given incentive fees to assist with reducing offload delays. Peter Dundas stated that additional provincial funding has been made available for the off-load nursing program, which is achieving positive results. Councillor Morrison noted that the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) should be made accountable and advised that she has addressed this issue in her meetings with provincial officials.

Councillor Morrison also commented that Paramedic Services should not be penalized nor criticized for longer response times in Caledon due to its larger geographical area. Peter Dundas responded that the performance indicator of response times is currently measured for the entire Region. It is hoped with the new Response Time Performance Standards that will come into place in 2012, times will be measured based on urban and rural areas. Councillor Morrison requested that a breakdown per area municipality be provided to accurately show response times within each area. Peter Dundas responded that a breakdown is provided during the presentation of his annual report to Committee and that he will make sure it is included in this year’s presentation as well. Councillor Morrison also inquired about the need for coverage in Caledon East. She stated that an ambulance always seems to be there which indicates to her that all other resources are tied up in Caledon. Peter Dundas responded that a satellite station will be built in Caledon East as part of the facility plan there.

Councillor Hames inquired whether it will be Ministry staff or municipal staff answering the local emergency communication system within surrounding municipalities in the proposed GTA CACC recommendations. Peter Dundas replied that the staffing model would have to be negotiated with the Ministry. Staff could either be downloaded like they were during the ambulance download or the municipalities would be hiring the staff.

5. REPORTS

a) GTA Central Ambulance Communications Centre Review - Update

Received

Councillor Morrison stated that she was pleased to get this update. She also stated that the three Mayors would be happy to help in any way possible. This issue had come up before at the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and was being raised as much as possible with Provincial Officials at various municipal conferences.

6. COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

7. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

8. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 1:30 p.m., Regional Administrative Headquarters, Council Chamber, 5th floor, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, Ontario.

Please forward regrets to Curtiss Law, Legislative Specialist, (905) 791-7800, ext. 4330 or at curtiss.law@peelregion.ca

10. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:38 a.m.