Dear Members,
Over the past few weeks, the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association has launched a campaign entitled ‘Send Firefighters’ (www.sendfirefighters.ca). The OPFFA claims that this campaign is “about the patient” and that “seconds count”. However, they have failed to provide any evidence based research to support their argument of a need to respond to all serious medical emergencies, with the exception of cardiac arrests. It is also important to note that the studies listed on their site are based on American and/or outdated data, such as the OPALS study which was completed prior to the downloading of EMS to municipalities. We believe this campaign undermines the medical community with its unsubstantiated claims. Make no mistake; it is not a coincidence that this campaign was launched around the same time that Toronto City Council asked the Toronto Fire Service to reduce its budget by 10%. Quite simply put, this leaves paramedics to question the motives behind this campaign.
As part of a group effort between paramedic associations and union locals across the province, your PPA has partnered with OPSEU Local 277 to begin a grassroots campaign to refute the OPFFA's claims. To start, together we have created a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sendaparamedic) and a Twitter account (@sendaparamedic). These media forums were created to provoke rational discussion of issues paramedics are being faced with and also provide the ability to share and discuss journal articles and other forms of research. In addition, as the Peel Paramedic Association is a chapter of the Ontario Paramedic Association, we will be taking part in a province wide campaign spearheaded by the OPA in the weeks to come (www.ontarioparamedic.ca).
Paramedics are certified to deliver more controlled acts under the Regulated Health Professions Act than any other profession with the exception of physicians. As such, the PPA believes that patient care involves more than stopping the clock when responders first arrive. In fact, the clock doesn't stop for our patients until the appropriate treatment is administered. It's about definitive care on scene, during transport and transferring of care at the hospital. This is not meant to discredit any fire service or members of the general public who are trained in CPR and AED for providing initial care prior to the arrival of paramedics. However, only paramedics can provide the most appropriate and efficient care for the communities we serve due to our extensive training. As a registered Ontario charity with a mandate to promote our profession, the PPA has a responsibility to join in this unprecedented alliance of paramedics across the province. Together we will witness the growth and maturity of our profession, while still maintaining the highest standards of care to our community.
On behalf of the Peel Paramedic Association Board of Directors,
Thank you
Holly Lundrigan
Peel Paramedic Association President
