Chatham-Kent could make major changes to how its fire and EMS systems operate.
With their EMS contract with external company Medavie set to expire at the end of this year, Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services administrators have reviewed their service model. They've come up with three options staff and council will mull over in the coming months.
Model A would see no changes to the service; CK would once again sign a contract with Medavie, and they would continue handling EMS services in the municipality. Model B sees the EMS department fit under the same umbrella as police and fire services in Chatham-Kent. Costs would be similar to Model A, and this is the approach of every other municipality in Ontario, except for nearby Elgin County.
Model C would see the biggest change, with EMS and fire crews working together to deliver combined services. This is the model CK Fire and Emergency Services has recommended to council.
"The model we're talking about is fully blended, meaning fire and EMS working together, and composite, that's full-time [employees] and volunteers working together," says Fire Chief Ken Steubing. "This will provide the most sustainable service."
The move comes in a time where emergency crews across the country are dealing with an increased number of emergency calls. Steubing says the oldest 5% of CK's population represents 33% of emergency medical calls. The next-oldest age demographic represents 20% of Chatham-Kent residents, and again, another 33% of EMS requests.
And those residents are only getting older.
"That's the tsunami you hear healthcare professionals talk about," says Steubing. "They're all saying the older the population gets, the more strain it puts on the healthcare system."
While Steubing wouldn't get into the specific financial differences between the three models, he says the third option will hopefully be the most cost-efficient, and provide maximum cost avoidance.
"It's all about getting the right resource to the right call at the right time," adds Steubing. "We're talking about new full-time employees who are fully cross-trained as fully licenced paramedics who are also firefighters."
Chatham-Kent Council has motioned for administration to determine the viability of all three options, and negotiate with the parties involved. They'll return with a recommendation before the end of the year.