Saving untold lives; recognition for EMS communications officers
The vital work ambulance communication officers (ACOs) do every day with dedication and expertise, saves untold lives yearly. On behalf of CUPE’s 240,000 members in Ontario, we want to thank you this Communication Officer Recognition Week (April 11 – 18, 2016) for all your calm professionalism at times when Ontarians need you most, in a trauma, accident or crisis. You are a crucial link in all medical emergencies.
CUPE is very proud to represent hundreds of Ontario communications officers at five Central Ambulance Communications and two municipally-run centres and over 6000 paramedics (the majority of paramedics in Ontario) with 25 CUPE organized paramedic services, including the largest services in the province.
Through the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO) and CUPE Ontario, we are equally proud to advocate on your behalf on provincial policy initiatives as well as health and safety and other workplace protections.
For the last several years, working with allies, CACO and CUPE Ontario have been strong, determined voices pushing for emergency services communication officers to be included in the legislation that accepts post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a workplace-acquired illness for first responders.
We want to thank you for all your hard work in support, over the many years and the several incarnations of the PTSD Bill just recently passed into law on April 5, 2016, that does indeed recognize communications officers among the first responders covered in the new protections.
We are optimistic that you will, in the coming months continue to advocate and support CUPE health care staff in their efforts to also be included in the PTSD legislation.
It is our privilege to work with you, and for you, on important public safety and patient care issues.
In unity,
