EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

MINUTES EPSC-2011-2

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee met on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 1:42 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

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* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

Councillor S. McFadden presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-4-2011:

That the agenda for the May 19, 2011, Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Dr. Sheldon Cheskes, Medical Director, Peel-Halton, Sunnybrook-Osler Centre for Pre-Hospital Care, Presenting the 2010 Peel Region Medical Director's Update to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee (EPSC)

Received

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-5-2011:

Whereas, the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), which serves Brampton, Caledon and Malton, is one of only two LHINs where a therapeutic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) program is not available to its residents;

And whereas, timely access to a therapeutic PCI program has shown to have a mortality and morbidity benefit to the management of ST elevated myocardial infarctions (STEMI) with the closest site being Trillium Health Centre in south Mississauga;

And whereas, the population of this LHIN is made up of a large proportion of African and South Asian individuals who are predisposed to coronary artery disease at a younger age;

And whereas, the William Osler Health System has identified this as a priority for the Brampton Civic site and submitted a proposal in January of 2010 for a therapeutic PCI program to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with no response to date;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Regional Chair, on behalf of Regional Council, write to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in support of the proposal by William Osler Health System;

And further, be it resolved that a copy of this letter also goes to both LHINs and the area MPPs seeking their support for this important life-saving program.

See also Reports - Item 4a

A copy of the presentation is available from the Office of the Regional Clerk.

Dr. Sheldon Cheskes, Medical Director, Peel-Halton, Sunnybrook-Osler Centre for Pre-Hospital Care, provided an overview of the past year’s work in Peel. The overview comprises a particular emphasis on specific initiatives which have been implemented through research to improve patient outcomes, results of these studies, studies to be undertaken this year and some challenges moving forward. Dr. Cheskes focused upon the success of treating cardiac arrests with one of the highest save rates in the country, 49 patients, and also the high percentage of bystander CPR which was performed and contributed directly to their survival. The success of the STEMI program which allows paramedics to go directly to the catheterization lab and are not tied up in hospital offload delay. Dr. Cheskes also asked for support of committee to assist William Osler in obtaining approval for a designated therapeutic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) program at the Brampton Civic site so that even more patients can benefit from STEMI. In line with cardiac arrests Dr. Cheskes looked upon the need to improve bystander CPR in the community and also recommended that the Region becomes the oversight for public access defibrillation (PAD) programs so that there is a central repository listing where all PADs are in the Region and allows for the appropriate training.

Councillor Moore emphasized the importance of education in CPR as a key initiative moving forward – especially for youth in schools. Dr. Cheskes responded that the Centre is currently trying to increase training for young students, but getting the training into schools will require further political will.

Councillor Morre stated that there are differences between men and women having a heart attack as an example of one specific area that requires more training. Dr. Cheskes agreed that there are several very important differences between men and women and suggested examples such as the reaction to heart attack, and willingness to seek help as two examples where women differ greatly from men. He stated that more training in this regard would be helpful.

Councillor Hames requested a copy of Dr. Cheskes recommendations regarding the PCI program proposal by the William Osler Health System to take to the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference.

Councillor McFadden invited Dr. Cheskes to speak at an upcoming Regional Council meeting in order to get his message across to all of Regional Council.

4. REPORTS

a) 2010 Paramedic Medical Director’s Annual Presentation

Received

See also Delegations/Presentations - Item 3a

b) Site Visit to Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services

Received

c) Dufferin County Request for Reimbursement Related to Land Ambulance Cross Border Billing

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-6-2011:

That Regional Council not enter into a land ambulance cross border billing agreement with Dufferin County or any other land ambulance provider;

And further, that the cross border notice received from Dufferin County requesting payment for 10 years of land ambulance cross border services not be reimbursed.

Councillor Thompson asked if it was standard municipal practice to not pay Dufferin County. Peter Dundas, Chief and Director, Peel Paramedic Services, replied that it was a standard practice and principle adopted by the Region of Peel. The Region of Peel is not legislated to enter into such agreements and in the staff’s view it goes against the principle of seamless delivery of ambulance service that no matter where Paramedics are they will respond for service in whichever community they may be in.

Councillor Thompson asked if staff were aware of other such agreements in the Province of Ontario. Peter Dundas responded in the affirmative, but added that it has never been Region of Peel practice to have special arrangements with other municipalities. Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health Services stated that these agreements could result in charging for other health and social services where clients cross municipal borders, and therefore is not recommended by staff.

d) Peel Regional Paramedic Services 2010 Annual Report
Presentation by Peter Dundas, Chief and Director, Peel Paramedic Services

Received

A copy of the presentation is available from the Office of the Regional Clerk.

Peter Dundas, Chief and Director, Peel Paramedic Services, emphasized the successes of the past year as follows: a reduction in response times by 20 seconds; 6,380 hours returned to system due to continued reduction in offload delay; reduced unit hour activity; and the completion of Provincial on-site certification.

e) Regional Fire Coordination - Annual Report

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-7-2011:

That the 2010 Annual Fire Coordinator’s Report of Brad Bigrigg, Fire Chief, Town of Caledon, dated January 10, 2011, attached as Appendix I to the report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, dated April 6, 2010, titled “Regional Fire Coordination – Annual Report”, be received;

And further, that Chief Bigrigg be thanked for his efforts during 2010.

5. COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

7. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.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

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:38 p.m.