EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

MINUTES EPSC-2011-3

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee met on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at 10:04 a.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 P. Palleschi presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-7-2011:

That the agenda for the September 15, 2011, Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - Nil

4. REPORTS

a) 2010 Paramedic Services Certification

Received

b) Base Hospital Services Agreement

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-8-2011:

That a Base Hospital Services agreement with the Sunnybrook Centre for Pre-Hospital Medicine (SCPM) to monitor both the quality of care and certification of paramedics be executed by the Region’s duly authorized signing officers.

c) Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-9-2011:

Whereas, the Region of Peel has demonstrated its commitment to working with and supporting community partners to respond to the health needs of Peel residents;

And whereas, the Region of Peel has been asked to support “ Physicians and Paramedic Urging Lifesaving Education” in their efforts to make Ontario a leader in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR);

Therefore be it resolved, that the Regional Chair write to the Minister of Education, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and to the Minister of Finance on behalf of Regional Council, to request that their ministries adopt the measures proposed by “Physicians and Paramedics Urging Lifesaving Education” to increase bystander CPR;

And further, that a copy of the report of the Commissioner of Health Services dated August 10, 2011, titled “Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation” and its corresponding resolution be sent to designated delivery agents for land ambulance in Ontario and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for their information and support.

d) Paramedic Services 10 Year Facility Plan Update

Received

e) Paramedic and Fire Services Related Studies

Received

RECOMMENDATION EPSC-10-2011:

That the Region of Peel undertakes a study of the delivery and funding of Fire and Paramedic services in the Region of Peel to identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness of the Fire and Paramedic response to emergency calls;

And further, that a Steering Committee be established to develop the Terms of Reference for the study, and report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee (EPSC) and Regional Council for approval of those Terms of Reference and an estimate of the cost of undertaking the study;

And further, that the members of the Steering Committee include all of the Council members of EPSC and the Chief of Peel Regional Paramedic Services as well as the Fire Chiefs from each municipality and union representatives from paramedics and firefighters of each municipality;

And further, that the Councils for the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and Town of Caledon be asked to endorse the study and the participation of the Chiefs of their Fire Services on the Steering Committee;

And further, that the union representing the Peel Regional Paramedics, and the unions representing the Firefighters in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, each be invited to appoint a representative to be a member of the Steering Committee;

And further, that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care be invited to send a senior staff person to be a member of the Steering Committee;

And further, that Dr. Sheldon Cheskes, Medical Director, Sunnybrook Centre for Pre-Hospital Medicine be invited to be a member of the Steering Committee;

And further, that once the Terms of Reference are approved, that the study proceed upon agreement from the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and Town of Caledon to share equally the cost of the study with the Region of Peel.

Councillor Saito stated that a specific study would need to be conducted by staff from both the municipal and Regional levels and could be completed with the help and direction from a steering committee. The study will present the best possible way to improve the services the local municipalities and Region provide.

Councillor Saito suggested the steering committee be made up of EPSC membership, staff from the local municipalities, as well as, inviting members from the Fire Associations and Paramedic Union; to ensure proper representation and expertise from all parties involved.

Councillor Thompson expressed support for the study and highlighted the importance of both Fire and Paramedics to focus on what is best for the patient and the community.

Councillor Hames noted that the Study should address the need for unifying dispatch into a singular system between the emergency services and municipalities as much as possible.

Councillor Palleschi stated the position of the EPSC has always been to address the issues related to the Central Ambulance Communication Centre (CACC) system and to work with other municipalities such as the Region of Halton on implementing the changes. He added that unfortunately there is still resistance from the province on facilitating and supporting the process.

Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health Services, informed the Committee that a study had already been completed in partnership with the Regions of Halton, York, Durham and County of Simcoe and presented to EPSC. The study looked at the improvements needed and the costs of each municipality having their own dispatch. The most cost effective approach was one or two dispatch centres across the municipalities. The recommendations were part of the Region’s advocacy platform during the AMO meeting in August. In the meeting with Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, she indicated that she would not support moving ahead on changes within the GTA alone. She recommended that AMO bring an Ontario-wide solution forward for consideration.

Councillor Hames requested detailed information regarding the CACC study recommendations in order to bring it to the attention of the AMO Large Urban Caucus as she sits on the Board.

5. COMMUNICATIONS

a) Marolyn Morrison, Mayor, Town of Caledon , Letter dated August 9, 2011, Expressing Concerns Regarding Simultaneous Notification of the Fire Services with Emergency Medical Services to Medical Emergencies

Received

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, November 17, 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 10:27 a.m.