Inside ---------- ~ • Message From Kent Gillespie [1] • Recognition Event for Peel's Operators [2] • Paramedic Designs New Crest [3] • New Appointment Announcement - John Juszczak [3] • Peel Regional Ambulance Services Celebrates New Look [3] • Meet The Service Operators [4] • Emergency Communicator's "Second Job" Saves Critical Rescue Time [4] • Recognizing the Efforts of Many [5] • GM's Comments [6] Creating A New Land Ambulance Service for Peel It has been almost three years since I became personally involved in the Land Ambulance program in Peel. Emergency Programs were part of the Corporate Services department at that time including: Emergency Planning under the Emergency Plans Act, the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Answering program and Regional Fire Co ordination. Within the Corporate Services department, these programs were the responsibility of our then Manager of Emergency Programs, Joe Moore. The downloading of Land Ambulance Services had been talked about at the "Who Does What" panel, led by David Crombie on behalf of the Province of Ontario. The "Who Does What" panel was Kent Gillespie-Commissioner of Corporate Services and concerned with the realignment of services between the Regional Solicitor province and municipalities, theoretically to "disentangle" municipal and provincial responsibilities and increase accountability. Joe had been asked by our Chief Administrative Officer at the time, Michael Garrett, to monitor the issues surrounding the potential transfer of the Land Ambulance Program to the Region. On Dec. 8, 1997, the transfer of Land Ambulance Services became a reality when royal assent was given to the Services Improvement Act, 1997. From Jan. 1, 1998, the Region of Peel became responsible for paying the cost of Land Ambulance Services in Peel. Peel was required to take over delivery of the service within two years, a period that was later extended to three. The Corporate Services department was designated to take the lead to develop an approach to the delivery of the service and effect the transfer. Since that time, a team of Regional Councillors, chaired by Councillor Paul Palleschi and co chaired by Councillors Marolyn Morrison and Frank Dale, staff and consultants, has been working toward the goal of providing the best quality ambulance services to the people who live or work in Peel. There was a tremendous learning curve. We had to understand CD the existing system and our options under the Ambulance Act. Seminars were attended, Paramedic Designs New Crest For literature was canvassed, local facilities and other jurisdictions and systems were visited, ( Meet The Service Operators ( • and the legislation and regulations were pored over. Gradually, a picture of the current • Ambulance Service • • • ambulance service system in Ontario emerged, as did other options for ambulance delivery. Q It became apparent that movement to a "performance based" system was a goal that Tom Reid, Manager of Dufferin-Caledon Ambulance Service with Dufferin many leaders in the emergency medical services industry agreed upon. However, a full W hen the Region of Peel needed a new crest Caledon Health Care Corporation since 1983, has been an ambulance service professional for Ambulance Services, Jeremy Asselbergs offered his performance based system would not be possible to achieve immediately. for more than 17 years. A native of Dufferin County, Ontario, Tom is dedicated to serving creativity. the local community in both a professional and volunteer capacity. The Regional staff team then mapped out a process to give Regional Council the broadest "The Star of Life was a must and Peel's coat of arms A highly skilled administrator, instructor and emergency response practitioner, Tom is also a set of options to choose from in establishing this new service and for moving toward a was a natural fit for the crest," said Jeremy Asselbergs, past member of the Shelburne Police Services Board, a First Aid instructor, and a patient performance based model. This turned out to be a four-stage process: a Central Peel Regional Ambulance Paramedic. "Most care trainer for the local Fire Department, Base Hospital and Ministry of Health. • Request for Expressions of Interest (RFI) people don't know this, but the star of life is the universal symbol for paramedics." In his spare time, Tom is active in the Shelburne Minor Hockey Association and with the • Request for Proposals (RFP) Paramedic Jeremy Asselbergs (centre) Trinity United Church, where he presently serves on the Board of Stewards. reveals the new crest for Peel Regional For 12 years, Asselbergs has provided primary paramedic Ambulance Service. • Negotiation of Service Agreements care to residents in the Region of Peel. A graduate of Tom looks forward to the opportunity to provide Land Ambulance Services to the • Implementation the Humber College Ambulance and Emergency Care Program, he works as a full-time community as part of Peel Regional Ambulance Services. paramedic for the Central Peel Service and a part-time paramedic for Orangeville Ira Ross, Manager of The District of Halton and Mississauga Ambulance Service Ltd., has A new division - Ambulance and Emergency Programs -was created in November, 1999, Ambulance. devoted his 30-year career to the delivery and development of ambulance service. In fact, to be led by Joe Moore, who became General Manager of the new division. Ross participated in the implementation of the Initial Paramedic Training Program and "It was gratifying to know the paramedic team liked my idea for the crest, and chose it to be achieved the distinction of being the first private company to have paramedics serve in While the first three stages have been completed, Stage four-Implementation- is the official symbol for Peel paramedics," said Asselbergs. " I think they'll wear it with pride." Ontario. He is justifiably proud of his accomplishments in pioneering paramedicine in ongoing. Stations are being acquired where necessary, arrangements for hiring new Ontario. employees are underway, and inventories of vehicles and equipment are being made in anticipation of the transfer to Peel. Peel is providing vehicle maintenance and consumable New Appointment Ira's expertise in meeting and satisfying the needs of an ever-changing and growing service bode well for his ability to help share the vision of the new Peel Regional Ambulance supplies through separate contracts that have gone out to another RFP process. Base Announcement - John Juszczak Services - a challenge he eagerly anticipates. hospital issues are being discussed and the province is being encouraged to establish the appropriate support and funding programs for Ontario emergency medical services. Ira's hobbies include fishing, golfing, family camping and riding his motorcycle. The success of the Land Ambulance transition in Peel required a huge effort on everyone's The Region of Peel is pleased to announce the appointment of John Juszczak as Manager of Quality Assurance part. I am very pleased with the contributions made by everyone involved. No doubt there John Juszczak and Program Development for the Land Ambulance Program. will be some minor difficulties in getting everything in place for Jan. 1, 2001. We may require "interim solutions" for a short time at the beginning of the service. But all the "John's 26 years of experience in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) profession, and his essential and critical components of the service will be in place. I am confident that close association with the Region of Peel as Manager of the Central Ambulance Communications Centre, ideally qualify him for his new responsibilities. We are delighted paramedics will notice improved working conditions and better training as Peel Regional that John has joined our team," says Joseph Moore, General Manager, Ambulance and Ambulance Services takes shape in 2001. The staff and Council of the Region of Peel want Emergency Programs. paramedics to know that they are part of a Region-wide team of qualified and dedicated Tom Reid (second from left) and Ira Ross (second from right) are joined by (left to right) Bruce Irwin, emergency health care providers, and that their efforts will be recognized by the Peel Regional Ambulance Services Nancy Ross, Regional Chair Emil Kolb, Regional Councillor Paul Palleschi and Joseph Moore at the recent Land Ambulance event. community they serve. As time goes on, we will all work together to improve not only the Celebrates New Look Land Ambulance system, but also the broader system of emergency health services. Emergency Communicator's ··second Job .. Saves Critical Rescue Time On October 26, paramedics, Regional Recognition Event for Peel's Operators employees and Councillors gathered outdoors at Regional Headquarters to celebrate the Chris Moffatt, Medical Communications Officer, Ministry of Health and Long-Term launch of Peel Regional Ambulance Services, Care, has taken his role as an emergency communicator to the next level by creating A recognition event for members of the Bolton District Voluntary Ambulance and to view the new crest and logo designs. a second job for himself-one that has earned him the honour of Emergency Association, Lee Ambulance Services and Central Peel Regional Ambulance Service will Communicator of the Year in the Region of Peel. The 2000 Paul Schram Memorial Approximately 75 invited guests enjoyed be held at the Holiday Inn Select. 30 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, Award was presented to Chris at Regional Council earlier this fall. refreshments and heard remarks provided by 2001. Further details to follow. l A resident of Mississauga, Chris began his career fielding emergency ambulance ca"-. Regional officials and representatives from the from residents in 1997. In his spare time he took the initiative to expand his centre's This event will commemorate the many years of exemplary service provided to Peel District of Halton and Mississauga Ambulance database, learning street names and locations for areas in Peel, Halton, York, Toronto residents by these organizations and their staff. Service Ltd. and Dufferin-Caledon Health Care (left to right) Regional Chair Emil Kolb, Corporation. Joseph Moore and Councillor Paul Palleschi and surrounding areas, just to "make the job easier for himself." reveal the new look for ambulance vehicles. 5 6 Moffatt's part-time study soon blossomed into a second career in database management, GM's Comments - sYMBoLs as colleagues quickly recognized the value of having up-to-the-minute information on new streets, intersections and subdivisions. As a result, communicators have refined their ability to send the closest ambulance in the caller's area, saving precious seconds in emergency situations. Those of you who were present at the launch of Peel "Chris' behind-the-scenes work is key to timely, life-saving emergency service," says Regional Ambulance Services on October 26 had the opportunity to Joseph Moore, General Manager, witness an historic event. The face of emergency medical services is Ambulance and Emergency Programs at the Region of Peel, and Chair of the 9-1-1 changing, not only in Peel, but across Ontario, as municipalities Advisory Committee. "It's appropriate to assume responsibility for this critical service. As you will read recognize someone who, on their own elsewhere in this edition of Code 8, one of the high points of the initiative, provides a crucial service in day was the unveiling of the crest design for the new service. It is addition to their considerable call taking significant that this crest, which will be displayed on our vehicles and responsibilities." worn as a shoulder flash by all paramedics, was in fact designed by a The Paul Schram Memorial Award is Joseph Moore Peel paramedic, Jeremy Asselbergs. Jeremy's design incorporates a named in honour of the late Paul Schram, number of important symbols, including the Region's coat of arms, who was instrumental in the development which represents the public's stewardship for this program expressed through of the 9-1-1 emergency service number in Regional Council. We are proud that our Council has permitted the use of this the Region of Peel. Chris Moffat (centre) is presented with The Paul Schram symbol, which is also worn by Peel Regional Police, as a token of its respect for the Memorial Award by Joseph Moore (left) and John Juszczak, Manager, Emergency Health Services, Central work of our paramedics. Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC). But I believe that the most important symbol contained within the crest is the Star of Life. This star is recognized world-wide as a symbol for emergency medical services Recognizing The Efforts of Many ... and is a key element of many crests and logos in Canada and the United States. The ( feedback that we received during the crest selection process revealed how important this symbol is to the paramedic community. The star symbolizes hope, permanence, A number of people have contributed to the launch of Peel Regional Ambulance and the sanctity of life. The use of the star as an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Services, including: symbol reflects the intense pride and dedication that those entrusted with the care of our loved ones bring to their profession. Regional Employees The merger of these two symbols on the new ambulance crest is an important visual • Kathryn Cameron, Lorraine Bradbury Emergency Medical Services statement of our shared commitment to the highest quality of pre-hospital care for and Karen Campbell - Ambulance Consultants our residents. I know that the crest will be worn with pride and that it will take its and Emergency Programs • Roger Mayo place beside those of the other emergency services in our Region as we lay the • Bonnie Zeran, Regional Clerk; John • Dr. Martin McNamara foundation of a new era of emergency medical services in Peel. Daly and Ava Macintyre- Corporate Services • John Byard Through the many years that I have worked with Peel's emergency service providers, • Mike Goldrup, Cynthia Ulba, Judy • Jim Gough - Marshall Macklin I have come to know first hand the dedication and professionalism of the paramedic community. Wiebe, Kim Rouw, Tony Frost, Merry Monaghan Limited Garbutt, Maria Maraca and Marija ; .......... . I am personally proud and honoured to have the opportunity to work in partnership Avdic- Communication Services with that community and our operators to help shape the future of (EMS) in Peel. Legal Consultants • Mary Killeavy, Kevin Duffy and Carol Speck- Human Resources • Don West, Lisa Moreau, David Joseph Moore is the General Manager of Ambulance and Emergency Programs for Takenaka, Randy Hook and the Region of Peel. • Joe Pennachetti, Treasurer and Eldon Bennett- Aird and Berlis Commissioner of Finance; Dave Metcalfe, Steve Mchugh, Dave Bingham, Mary Ellen Duff, Dave Troian, Base Hospitals l Alan McCord and Jim Alpous- Finance • Dr. Sheldon Cheskes • James Macintyre and Donna Watson - Purchasing • Dr. Matthew Stempien If you have any suggestions for this newsletter, or if you have any questions you would like addressed, please send them via e-mail to [email protected]. P-02-014 00/11