Dear Minister, As you are aware, Ontario paramedics are among the best trained, if not the best trained emergency first responders in the country. Each day paramedics across our province save many lives. It is highly unfortunate that a recent segment of CTV-W5 leaves viewers with a different impression, specifically that calling 911 is akin…
May 1 is the national day to recognize the important work of first responders including paramedics, communications officers, nurses and other health care staff. Tens of thousands of them are CUPE members. We want to commend and celebrate them all as “everyday heroes”. For us, it’s not just on First Responders’ Day but throughout the…
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…
TORONTO, ON — A Bill that recognizes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a work-related diagnosis for Ontario paramedics and other emergency responders will be voted on by MPPs tomorrow. Paramedics and communication officers who are representatives of four labour groups with nearly 8000 Ontario paramedic members among them, will be in the Legislative gallery at…
TORONTO, ON – The Ontario government introduced a bill on Thursday that would see post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims by first responders automatically approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The move comes after years of effort by CUPE paramedics, other first responders and several attempts by the Ontario NDP to change legislation…
