Ontario Paramedic Association response to proposed amalgamation of emergency
services in Toronto

TORONTO, June 24 /CNW/ - In response to the comments on June 22, 2010 made by Toronto Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman, The Ontario Paramedic Association supports the idea paramedics be made an essential service to ensure the safety and well being of the residents of the province of Ontario. It is ill advised to proceed into amalgamation of Fire Services and EMS, as the Toronto Paramedic Association stated, there is no evidence in reduction of response times, and may include unforeseen additional costs to the taxpayers. If response times are the issue then more paramedics and better resources for EMS should be the focus. The Ontario Paramedic Association promotes an open door policy to providing dialogue and education of the facts on EMS.

The Ontario Paramedic Association is a professional organization representing paramedics from across the province. Our goals are to promote the highest standard of care for our patients and to promote the profession of Paramedicine.

For further information: Ontario Paramedic Association: Greg Furlong, President, [email protected], website: www.ontarioparamedic.ca; Glen Gillies, Media & Public Relations, [email protected], 1-416-715-4661