Support your Chatham-Kent Paramedics

June 27, 2016

Dear Councillors/Mayor of Chatham-Kent

            Please find enclosed the online portion of the survey launched in opposition to our Fire Chief’s proposal to blend the Fire/EMS services here in Chatham-Kent.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services has recently submitted a proposal to Council. It is attempting to create a blended Fire/EMS model within the Municipality. In Ontario, history has dictated that these models are doomed to fail. Likewise, amalgamations have statistically proven that delivery costs will eventually skyrocket.

Moreover, seasoned paramedics (who perform 20,000+ calls per year in Chatham-Kent) are at risk of losing their jobs. Paramedics endure a rigorous 2-year college program and must pass a provincial exam to obtain certification. They complete an annual recertification, and are closely monitored and audited by Base Hospital.

We highly respect and appreciate the dedication of our Firefighter colleagues. However, our two professions are not interchangeable. They utilize completely different skill sets. Both are vital in their own right, and, in our opinion, each workforce needs to remain true to itself, to enable continuity in delivering optimal care.

When implementing a model of an emergency service, the safety of Chatham-Kent citizens is of the utmost importance. We believe that “Model C”, currently sitting before Council, could possibly jeopardize that.

We are asking that you support a model of EMS delivery within Chatham-Kent which would remain independently managed, and separate from, the Fire Service.  Thank you for your consideration.

                                                Respectfully,

                                                your CK Paramedics