Whereas local governments have recently been made aware that BCEHS has implemented a new process, the clinical response model for assigning paramedics, ambulances, and other resources to 911 calls, and as part of this new process, BCEHS has decided that in some cases depending on the condition of the patient, it will no longer require the support of other first responder agencies such as fire rescue services; And whereas fire rescue staff are well equipped to provide support to first responders, this ten minute window is a critical period of time and the condition of the patient can be deteriorating or the illness or injury can be more serious than first thought: Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Health be asked to work with first responders and municipalities to ensure the clinical response model incorporates protocols for dispatch of all first responders to provide pre-hospital care to calls from which attendance of any first responder has a positive impact on patient care. And be it further resolved that the Ministry incorporate the recommendations as identified by the Municipal Auditor General in the report titled Access to Emergency Health Services dated February 2019.
