Ontario | Ornge outgoing Board accepts recommendation for new board members
Mississauga | 26 Jan 2012
Today, the outgoing Ornge Board of Directors announced they have accepted the recommendation from the government to appoint seven new volunteer board members.
“These new board members bring extensive knowledge and unique skill sets to their new roles and Ornge is fortunate to have them,” said outgoing Chair Rainer Beltzner. “Ornge has taken immediate steps to begin a renewal process and regain the trust of staff, patients, and the people of Ontario.”
The new board chair is Ian W. Delaney, former CEO of Sherritt International Corporation.
“I am proud to assume a role where I will be supporting a team of high calibre frontline paramedics, pilots, and staff, whose sole focus is to provide first-class patient care,” said Mr. Delaney. “They save countless lives and their commitment to Ontario patients is nothing short of exemplary.”
Joining Mr. Delaney are six respected community leaders representing a diverse background in health care, business and education. They are:
Charles Harnick, Principal, Counsel Public Affairs
Patricia Lang, Former President of Confederation College
Barry McLellan, President and CEO, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Maneesh Mehta, Co-founder of the Black Box Institute, member of the board Central Local Health Integration Network
Patrice Merrin, Chairman of the Board and Interim CEO, CML HealthCare
Patricia Volker, Instructor, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
Their guidance and oversight will ensure the delivery of high quality service to Ontario patients while improving transparency and accountability.
“The new board has the collective knowledge, experience, and commitment to meet the challenges ahead,” added Mr. Delaney. “We are fully dedicated to serve the public interest, and we will strive to deliver world-class air ambulance, critical care land and paediatric transport programs service for Ontarians. I look forward to working with interim CEO Mr. Ron McKerlie, Ornge staff, and Minister Matthews to restore the public’s confidence, and the pride of Ornge staff.”
Complete biographies for the new Ornge Board of Directors can be found at the following address:
http://www.ornge.ca/AboutOrnge/Pages/BoardofDirectors.aspx
Ontario | Ottawa Fire Services welcomes donations to the Vehicle Donation Program
Ottawa | 26 Jan 2012
Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is encouraging residents to donate their old or scrap vehicles to the Vehicle Donation Program. Your donation can help firefighters continuously practice their skills and rescue techniques, and you will receive a $500 tax receipt in return. Even if your vehicle does not run, it can still be used, and OFS will arrange to have it picked up for free.
Your donated vehicle will be used as a training apparatus that will help firefighters practice the intricate skill of automobile extrication. Every year, OFS responds to thousands of traffic collisions that involve extricating injured drivers and passengers from mangled vehicles using specialized techniques and tools. Over the years, automotive innovations and features such as airbags, computer-controlled security and alternate fuel/hybrid systems, have made automobile extrication even more complex.
As part of the OFS training program, firefighters hone their skills on vehicles that are obtained or donated from recyclers, which often includes high towing fees. To offset these costs, old or scrap vehicles can be donated directly to Ottawa Fire Services in exchange for a $500 tax receipt that will be mailed to the donor.
If you wish to donate a vehicle, please first call 613-580-2424, ext. 29492 to receive instructions about how to donate your vehicle.
After calling, if the vehicle can be safely operated, it can be driven directly to one of the five designated fire stations:
- Station 12 – 635 O’Connor Street
- Station 36 – 900 Industrial Avenue
- Station 37 – 910 Earl Armstrong Road
- Station 44 – 1075 Greenbank Road
- Station 53 – 500 Charlemagne Boulevard
If the vehicle cannot be safely operated, Ottawa Fire Services will make arrangements to have a towing company pick up your vehicle free-of-charge. However, you must be present to sign over your vehicle ownership and show photo identification (such as driver’s licence, passport or government-issued identification).
If you live in a rural area, you will be directed to one of four Ottawa Fire Services Rural Administrative offices for further instructions.
Ontario | On the record – New interim CEO of Ornge letter of intro to staff
Mississauga | 12 Jan 2012
Below is a statement sent to staff from Ron McKerlie:
Yesterday the Board of Directors of Ornge announced their decision to accept the recommendations of the Government of Ontario regarding the appointment of an interim President and CEO. Following that announcement the honorable Deb Matthews, Minister for Health and Long Term Care, announced that I am their appointee and in turn I have been named interim President and CEO effective today.
Earlier today I had the opportunity to meet with a number of employees at our Mississauga location and I want to share with you some of the thoughts I shared with those I met today in person.
First let me introduce myself. My name is Ron McKerlie. I grew up in the private sector working for great Canadian companies such as Bank of Montreal and Rogers Communications and for the past six and one half years have been proud to be a public servant serving the citizens of Ontario.
My most recent position has been Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Government Services, Associate Secretary of Cabinet and Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet. In this role I have had responsibility for areas of government including Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, back office operations and support and oversight for agencies, among others things. On a personal note I am 53 years old, married to the same great woman for 31 years and the father of two adult sons.
My mandate for my time at Ornge is very clear. I am here to work with you to make Ornge a model organization as it relates to accountability, transparency and integrity of operations. In short to ensure Ornge is the kind of organization that each of you are proud to work for and an organization that each Ontarian will be proud to hold up as an example of tax dollars well spent for the services we provide.
Lately this organization has been in the news repeatedly for its lack of transparency including its secrecy around compensation arrangements for its senior executives. Work is well underway to change this and ensure that the salaries of all Ornge executives are disclosed in the future in a manner consistent with the Public Sector Salary Disclosure guidelines.
As you know, an audit team from the Ministry of Finance has been engaged to review our operations and provide suggestions as to ways in which our operations can be improved to provide the increasing levels of accountability and transparency that I have already referenced. Jim McCarter, Ontario’s Auditor General, has also indicated he will be undertaking a Value for Money Audit of Ornge’s operations which in turn will also provide insight which will be helpful to inform changes that need to be made.
However, some of these changes don’t have to wait for the auditors reports to get underway. Work has already begun to simplify Ornge’s corporate structure and to bring the operations of Ornge Global Corporate Services and Ornge Global Air back under the control of Ornge where they will be operated on a not-for-profit basis I’d like to thank the existing management team for getting this work underway.
A separate review of our governance and oversight practices will be undertaken to help inform changes that will set us up as a future model of best practice in the area of board governance and board oversight.
We will also be undertaking an immediate review of areas where publically funded organizations sometimes trip up. These areas include procurement practices, the claiming and reporting of personal expenses and our alignment around the provision of perks and the expensing of alcohol with government rules covering these same issues.
Over the course of the next few months we will be creating a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to ensure our plans are aligned with the broader health needs and goals of the Province.
I’d like to shift gears for a moment and talk not about plans and change but rather about people.
Ornge has been blessed with having many dedicated staff and some strong leadership in key positions. First of all let me acknowledge and say thank you to Tom Lepine for stepping in and for stepping up after Dr. Chris Mazza went on an indefinite medical leave. Tom, I look forward to your continued support as we work together to make this organization the model of accountability, transparency and integrity of operations that I know you too desire for Ornge.
Secondly, to all of our employees within Ornge; to those of you who come to work every day to make a difference in the lives of Ontario citizens who in turn benefit from the medical transport services that you provide, thank you. As I have heard the Premier say on many occasions, we live (and work) in the best Province in the best country in the world. It is a privilege to serve and to be in service to the citizens of Ontario who are both our clients as well as our investors and we should never take for granted the duty we have to uphold that public trust.
I know this is an organization of some 400 employees and the reason that I am here today is the result of the actions of only a very few. I bring no silver bullets, no magic wand that will make the problems go away, only experience and a certainty that doing the right thing every day for the citizens we serve is a great place to start.
To the vast majority of employees I want to say that I honor and respect the terrific work you do. Each day you provide medical attention and transport to people whose very lives depend on the services you help provide. That is admirable work and I hope you continue to be extremely proud of the difference you make in the quality of life and health care service in this great province.
Regards,
Ron McKerlie
Ontario | Toronto Emergency Medical Services staffing levels set at 85 per cent under Essential Ambulance Services Agreement
Toronto | 13 Jan 2012
The City of Toronto has received the ruling by the Ontario Labour Relations Board for staffing levels of paramedics who are members of TCEU Local 416 (CUPE). The Board has set an 85 per cent staffing complement during any labour disruption under a new Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA).
The Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act requires emergency medical services operators, such as Toronto Emergency Medical Services, to negotiate an EASA with its ambulance workers. Paramedics form less than 18 per cent of the membership of Local 416 that represents a broad cross-section of different employee groups within the Toronto Public Service.
The EASA sets the number of paramedics that are to continue working during any labour disruption. Toronto Emergency Medical Services sought to have staffing levels set at 100 per cent of its standard complement of paramedics to respond to its ambulance call volumes that have risen since the previous EASA was established in 2002. The previous agreement had complement levels set at 75 per cent. Local 416 argued against setting a 100 per cent complement level.
The City already received an earlier Board decision that provides an EASA that will apply to the dispatch employees that are represented by CUPE, Local 79; it essentially provides for approximately 95 per cent of dispatcher complement levels during a labour disruption.
Toronto residents can be assured that Toronto EMS will continue to respond to service calls for emergency medical service.
Ontario | City of Toronto issues Extreme Cold Weather Alert and advises homeless people to seek shelter
Toronto | 13 Jan 2012
The City of Toronto has called an Extreme Cold Weather Alert to ensure vulnerable homeless people are aware of the dangers of cold weather and have safe and warm places to go. This is in effect until further notice.
Extreme cold weather can be life-threatening to people who spend much of their time outdoors.
Year round, through Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division, the City funds extensive services for people who are homeless, including emergency shelters, drop-in centres, Streets to Homes assistance to find and keep permanent housing, housing help and 24-hour street outreach services throughout the city, as well as 24-hour street respite. Throughout the winter, more services are available.
During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, street outreach workers continue to urge people to go inside and provide transportation to shelters or overnight respite. In addition to ongoing outreach, during an alert:
• Shelters relax any existing service restrictions.
• Street outreach is increased, focusing solely on warning clients of danger and transporting them to warm places.
• TTC tokens are available at a number of drop-ins so people have transportation to shelters.
• More than 100 agencies are advised of the impending extreme weather, asked to relax any service restrictions they may have, and are reminded of the danger this poses to vulnerable clients.
• 172 shelter spaces are added.
An alert is called when Environment Canada:
• predicts a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or lower, without wind chill,
• issues a wind chill warning for outdoor activity for people in the Toronto area, and/or
• predicts extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard, ice storm or sudden drops in temperature.
How to get an emergency shelter bed
Call 311. Or directly contact Central Intake toll free within the Greater Toronto Area:
1-877-338-3398.
If you see someone you think requires street outreach assistance during an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, call 311. This is not an emergency number. Dial 911 in an emergency.
More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/housing.
Ontario | Ornge Board to resign – Interim President and CEO to be appointed – Ornge Global Solutions to close
Mississauga | 11 Jan 2012
Today, the Ornge Board of Directors has accepted the recommendation from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to appoint a senior member of the public service as an Interim President and CEO.
The board determined that it is in the best interests of the organization to resign as soon as a transition to a new volunteer board can be put in place. This will be done with input from the Government of Ontario.
In addition, Ornge also announced that Ornge Global Solutions, a for-profit company is winding down.
Guided by a renewed commitment to accountability and transparency, Ornge will undertake a comprehensive governance and performance review on an expedited basis.
The internal review will supplement the audits currently being undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General and the Ministry of Finance’s internal audit team. It will be guided by three priorities: a commitment to caring for patients; significantly improving transparency and accountability; and efficiency and performance. Outcomes of this review will be communicated to staff, patients, and the people of Ontario.
“We look forward to working in cooperation with the new Interim President and CEO as he focuses on a comprehensive governance and performance review. He will work along side Tom Lepine, who will continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer, said the board. “We are also eager to return our focus to where it should be – delivering invaluable transport medicine services to the people of Ontario and saving lives,” the board concluded.
Ontario | New fire station opens in Ottawa’s south end
Ottawa | 10 Jan 2012
The Barrhaven South community welcomed Fire Station 47 to the neighbourhood today with a grand opening celebration attended by Mayor Jim Watson, Councillors Mark Taylor, Jan Harder, Steve Desroches, and Scott Moffatt, Ottawa Fire Chief John deHooge, city staff and local residents.
“This new fire station will mean faster emergency response times and greater peace of mind for the residents of this growing community,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “It will also help conserve energy and save money thanks to its sustainable design.”
The newly constructed three-bay, 12,250-square-foot station is the result of a $9.2 million investment by the City and will house the Ottawa Fire Services’ fire hose repair and maintenance depot. Ottawa Fire Services provides this service in-house, saving the City money, while providing quality assurance to firefighters.
“The firefighters who are stationed here will not only provide emergency response, but will also be active members of this community through their volunteering efforts, community outreach initiatives and fire safety education,” said Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “These men and women are truly a valuable asset to the community they serve and their hard work is appreciated.”
Fire Station 47 was designed to incorporate sustainable design features that will reduce energy consumption, lessen water usage, efficiently improve heating and cooling capacities, while using natural, renewable, recycled and regionally produced materials in the construction.
“This is an exciting day for Barrhaven as we welcome this new fire station and the firefighters that are stationed here to our community,” said Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder. “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and the opening of this fire station will create opportunities for local residents to learn directly from firefighters’ ways to keep themselves and their families safe.”
The new station features all the spatial requirements needed by the fire crews deployed there, including equipment storage, a gear room, a dorm and kitchen, a hose tower, office area, lobby, exercise room, watch room and training spaces.
The Barrhaven South fire station is the first structure to be built in the area of Greenbank and Cambrian Roads and will soon be joined by a recreation complex, an elementary school, parkland and sports fields. The result will be centralized services that meet the needs of area residents.
Ontario | Interim report on infection control lapse issued by Ottawa Public Health
Ottawa | An interim report regarding the continuing response to an infection control lapse at a local out-of-hospital clinic was released by Ottawa Public Health (OPH) today.
The report provides an overview of OPH’s notification and response in support of patients following the inspection by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in May 2011.
The CPSO inspection found infection control and cleaning practices were not always followed at an out-of-hospital gastrointestinal clinic in Ottawa operated by Dr. Christiane Farazli. The clinic performed endoscopic procedures including colonoscopies and gastroscopies.
Highlights of the report:
- OPH directly reached 90 per cent of potentially affected patients to alert them of the lapse and provide information and support.
- To date, there are no identified links between cases of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the lapse.
- As expected, cases of hepatitis B and C have been discovered. However, the number of cases is consistent with prevalence of the diseases in the general population. No cases of HIV have been discovered.
- Of the 4,353 tests, 8.5 per cent (or 369 patients) showed blood test evidence of hepatitis B infection at some point in their lifetime, .9 per cent (or 39 patients) showed evidence of hepatitis C infection.
- No patients tested positive for HIV.
The lapse affected approximately 7,000 patients and potentially exposed patients who had undergone endoscopic procedures to the risk of infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
“This interim report highlights the outstanding work of the staff at Ottawa Public Health and throughout the City in supporting, providing advice and assisting affected patients over the past few months,” said Councillor Diane Holmes, Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health. “It also recommends changes at the Provincial level that would mitigate or avoid future challenges of the type faced here.”
The investigation is continuing with genetic fingerprinting of relevant samples with the assistance of Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada. This investigation includes additional testing for certain patients who volunteer and will assist in further examining whether there was any link between infections and the lapse. This process is expected to take a significant amount of time.
“Our focus remains on supporting patients and determining whether any transmission of disease occurred at the clinic,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health. “Our response is ongoing and has yet to be completed.”
OPH has applied for 100 per cent reimbursement by the provincial government to cover the costs associated with this extraordinary event. The province has indicated that it will cover those costs.
Patients can contact OPH by calling the dedicated information line 613-580-2888 (TTY: 613-580-9656). For additional information please visit ottawa.ca/health or e-mail healthsante@ottawa.ca.
The report will be available at ottawa.ca as part of the next agenda for the Ottawa Board of Health. The report will be discussed at the January 16 meeting of the Board.
Ontario | New paramedics will improve service for residents
Ottawa | The swearing-in of 21 new paramedic recruits today will bolster the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s ranks, resulting in improved emergency services for Ottawa residents. The new paramedics were sworn in during an official ceremony held today at the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s headquarters on Don Reid Drive.
“These men and women have taken an oath to uphold the highest standards of clinical care and conduct and will be providing emergency medical care to our citizens in difficult situations,” said Deputy Mayor Eli El-Chantiry. “I am truly grateful for their commitment and dedication to our community.”
The recruits were formally welcomed into the service by Deputy Mayor El-Chantiry, Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee, Susan Jones, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services and Ottawa Paramedic Service Chief Anthony Di Monte during a ceremony attended by their families, friends and co-workers.
“As Chair of the City’s Community and Protective Services Committee, I see on a daily basis the tremendous work of our paramedics and I feel privileged to receive these young recruits into one of the best paramedic services in Canada,” said Councillor Taylor.
“The ceremony is important in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of these new paramedics. The role of a paramedic is not always an easy one, and we must recognise not only the stressful work, but also the long road that have brought them here,” said Chief Di Monte.
The new recruits were hired in 2011 as part of the City of Ottawa’s plan to deal with the increase in the volume of calls the Ottawa Paramedic Service has experienced in the last decade. The addition of these new paramedics is a result of City Council’s commitment to providing residents with excellent service.
The requirements for becoming a paramedic in Ontario are stringent; all paramedics must meet or exceed provincial requirements, including being a graduate of a certified two or three-year paramedicine program. Graduates must then successfully pass a provincial licensing exam.
Ontario | Toronto firefighter injured battling two-alarm structure fire
Toronto | A Toronto firefighter is recovering from injuries after falling through a hole in a floor while battling a blaze.
Shortly after 7 a.m. today, Toronto Fire Services responded to a roof fire at 842 College St., a two-storey century-old building that was undergoing renovations. The main floor was formerly a restaurant with two vacant residential apartments above.
While attacking the blaze from the interior with zero visibility due to heavy smoke conditions, the firefighter fell through a hole in the floor that was cut out by contractors. He was taken to Toronto Western Hospital.
The response level reached a two-alarm fire, involving 12 fire trucks and 45 firefighters. The blaze was quickly brought under control.
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