FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2003

Paramedics from across Ontario fight "firemedic" model

OWEN SOUND: Paramedics from across Ontario say merging their jobs with those of firefighters will neither improve service nor cut costs as Owen Sound city council alleges.

The City of Owen Sound's plans to merge firefighters and paramedics in one "firemedics" service has been denounced by medical professionals and has already cost the city at least $100,000.

"We are not firefighters and firefighters are not paramedics," said Jamie Ramage, Chair of OPSEU's Ambulance Division. "We're here to tell the City of Owen Sound that this plan won't fly, and that we will fight it with the full resources of our union."

Local doctors have spoken out against the plan. Owen Sound emergency physician Steve Gazzola has written to the Owen Sound Sun Times opposing the model, as has Midland doctor Martin McNamara, who has studied the issue extensively.

The uncertainty around the future of the service has already caused at least 20 paramedics to leave Grey County and Owen Sound since the City began to manage the service in 2001.

"The loss of qualified staff, and all the legal costs of this experiment could be avoided if the city would simply recognize these are two separate and distinct professions and that each provides a valued service to the public," said Ramage.

OPSEU represents 2,000 paramedics in all regions of Ontario. OPSEU's Ambulance Division Executive, elected by paramedics from all regions of the province, meets in Owen Sound this week.

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For further information:

Paul Johnstone, 519-371-3428 Owen Sound Office 1-800-929-3680
David Cox, OPSEU Communications, 416-788-9197 cell