FIRE AND PARAMEDIC SERVICES RELATED
STUDY STEERING COMMITTEE

MINUTES FPSSC-2012-1

The Fire and Paramedic Services Related Study Steering Committee met on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 10:27 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, Ontario.

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* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

C. Law, Committee Clerk, presided.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

RECOMMENDATION FPSSC-1-2012:

That Councillor Palleschi be appointed Chair of the Fire and Paramedic Services Related Study Steering Committee for the term ending upon the dissolution of the Steering Committee or the end of the current term of Council, which ever comes first.

RECOMMENDATION FPSSC-2-2012:

That Councillor McFadden be appointed Vice-Chair of the Fire and Paramedic Services Related Study Steering Committee for the term ending upon the dissolution of the Steering Committee or the end of the current term of Council, which ever comes first.

Councillor Palleschi assumed the Chair.

2. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION FPSSC-3-2012:

That the agenda for the June 21, 2012, Fire and Paramedic Services Related Study Steering Committee meeting be approved.

4. DELEGATIONS - Nil

5. REPORTS

a) The Fire and Paramedic Services Study Scope and Procurement Process
Presentation by Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health Services

Received

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

RECOMMENDATION FPSSC-4-2012:

That the total cost for the approved study be shared evenly 50 percent by the Region of Peel representing Paramedic Services, and 50 percent shared proportionately across the local area municipalities representing Fire Services.

RECOMMENDATION FPSSC-5-2012:

That the scope and deliverables for the study, as contained in Appendix IV of the report of the Commissioner of Health Services, dated May 17, 2012, titled “Fire and Paramedic Services Study Scope And Procurement Process” be approved;

And further, that a phased approach to the procurement process for the study be approved;

And further, that the approved study scope and deliverables and initial costing as determined through the Request for Information procurement process be forwarded to the three area municipalities for their endorsement and approval as outlined in Regional Council Resolution 2011-956;

And further, that the Director, Strategic Policy, Planning and Initiatives from the Health Services Department, Chief of Paramedics and Regional Fire Coordinator be appointed to comprise the Evaluation Committee as per the Request for Proposal procedure;

And further, that the draft preliminary schedule of meetings for the Fire and Paramedic Services Related Study Steering Committee as contained in Appendix III of the subject report be approved.

Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health Services, provided a presentation on the process for approving and procuring a proposed study scope, deliverables, and cost estimates as outlined in the report. She noted that Appendix II in the report had a slight error in describing the relationship the Medical Director has with some stakeholders and will be amended and revised. She noted that the original resolution Regional Council approved is very specific around the study approval process which is driving the two step procurement process for a consultant. There was the first approval endorsing the concept of the Study and the Chiefs’ participation on the Steering Committee. The resolution also requires all four municipalities to endorse the study Terms of Reference before proceeding.

Janette Smith continued that once study scope and deliverables are approved, requests for proposals from vendors for the study will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee made up of the Director, Strategic Policy, Planning and Initiatives from the Health Services Department, Chief of Paramedics and Regional Fire Coordinator.

Councillor Paterak inquired how costs will be equally divided amongst the three municipalities. Janette Smith responded that there is no formula decided yet. Councillor Paterak directed that all previous studies completed when land ambulance became a Regional responsibility be reviewed to analyze both the results and outcomes of these studies as well as the costs of those studies.

Councillor McFadden suggested two changes to the report text. On page 1 of Appendix IV she suggested the review be completed on current ‘medical’ services to ensure only medical services are being reviewed and assessed. Additionally, on page 2 of Appendix IV she requested the addition of ‘cost avoidance’ as well as ‘cost savings’.

Councillor Moore inquired if any representatives from the Ministry of Long-Term Care responded to the invitation to sit on the Steering Committee. Janette Smith responded that they would only consider sending a representative after a study scope and deliverables is agreed upon by the Steering Committee. Councillor Moore directed that officials from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, as well as, the local MPPs be kept apprised of the proceedings of the Steering Committee in order to give them a better understanding of what is being discussed should they wish to get involved in the future.

Chief MacDonald proposed that the Steering Committee approve a cost sharing allocation formula of 50 percent being covered by the three fire departments, and the other 50 per cent being covered by the Regional Paramedic Services. He noted this would ensure the fire departments could allocate their costs proportionally based on population.

Dr. Sheldon Cheskes stressed that a representative from the Ministry of Long-Term Care should be present at future meetings given the regulatory ramifications of what the study may recommend. Janette Smith noted she would follow-up with the Ministry regarding their requested presence on the Steering Committee.

6. COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

7. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

8. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

9. NEXT MEETING

To be determined.

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 11:00 a.m.