Hastings County is taking a stand against a pilot project that could see firefighters taking on paramedic duties.
County council has sent a letter of opposition to the province about the pilot project, which would give paramedic-certified firefighters the ability to treat patients in some cases. Warden Rodney Cooney says it would be too expensive for small municipalities to introduce the fire-medic model.
This comes as the province is looking for two municipalities interested in signing up to take part in the trial phase. The province says it could lead to shorter wait times for emergency services.
But, Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Chief Doug Socha says he asked that county council not support the pilot project because there is no proof it will benefit patients. Socha says he is also concerned it will lead to the duplication of services for medical emergencies.
Socha says he doesn’t want any municipalities to be forced to introduce the model if the province decides to roll it out across Ontario.
The county and the province split the cost of paramedic services down the middle. Socha says if the province wants more trained paramedics on the road, it should hire more of them.
Meanwhile, North Hastings Fire Services Chief Pat Hoover says local departments will not be signing up for the pilot project. Hoover says North Hastings’ firefighters don’t take part in medical response, but rely on paramedics for it.
