Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Transports Patients in Rescue...

[K9kazoo]

This apparatus can be fitted with horns and a locking mechanism for a Ferno type stretcher… the exact same as the Medic units. MGMT was looking a using Fire apparatus to transport patients on a regular basis… however it contravenes the Ambulance Act of Manitoba and it was abandoned a number of years ago. That said our lack of EMS transporting units has become worse since. At least once a 12 hour shift we are out of Medic units.

This isn’t a battle between the Fire Union (UFFW) and the Medic Association (PPAW)… if you talk to the Fire crews they feel bad. They don’t want to transport but aren’t given a choice as they are ordered to do so by Medical Supervisors or Assistant Platoon Chief of EMS… a separate union altogether. Remember there are 5 bargaining units within WFPS. We’ve had a number of cases of Fire transports so it’s hard to speak to everyone. They are grieved by PPAW. It was not a case of scene safety, but if it was Fire should withdraw until made safe by Police. We’re short of Medic units due to increasing call volumes, off load delays and traveling distances.

PPAW is truly concerned as patient advocates about the patient’s treatment and safety of Fire transport. Fire will be the first to stand up and say yes we (Medics) are they higher trained staff for Medicals… these trucks as the pictures show are made unsafe due to the storage of items. Many unsafe items. I’m sure if the Rescue rolled (past precedent) or was involved in an MVA (past precedent) you wouldn’t want a high-rise kit bouncing off your head. When you step into the back of these Rescues you smell fuel… diesel and gas mixtures. You smell smoke. It’s a Rescue… it smells that way because it was made for fire suppression not patient transport. Just like a Medic unit smells like crap, puke, urine, hair spray, alcohol, or the latest fast food joint we stopped at! However, we disinfect our vehicles daily with approved solutions…

There is no question resources need shifting… Weather its hiring more Medics, redeploying resources, or stealing from Peter to pay Paul… MGMT has suggested layoffs and rehiring… I’m just regurgitating. We currently have three Squads each with 2 Fire Fighters… they also have CAFS systems on them… they are used strictly for manpower at Fire scenes or first responder calls. They are never used for actual fire suppression due to safety measures and UFFW. We could use those members on the EMS side rather than Fire. It’s cheaper to staff a Medic unit than pay for these Squads, that was proven. Squads can’t transport… Medic units can. Anther three 24 hour Medic units wouldn’t solve all our problems but it would make them bearable.

Our sick time is up… weather its abused or legit, injuries are up, and short term and long term disability claims have also increased. Medic units are shut down on a regular basis because no one wants overtime. Double dollar and MGMT can’t get any Medics to come in??? We've been told by MGMT we are free and clear of "Vacancy MGMT" however they see R5 and a Squad shutdown daily without any delay or ill effects. They are watching.