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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-7-96THE CORPORATION OF THE MUDTICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File # `Q ~ ~ ~" Res. #r~~-1\~l-~l ~ Date: MARCH 4, 1996 By-Law # Report. #: File #: FD-7-96 10.12.6 Subject: FIRE DEPARTMENT USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1.) THAT report FD-7-96 be received for information. 1 BACKGROUND 1.1 At the Council meeting of February 12, 1996 an item for direction was referred to this department for a report. The item related to the issue of the use of auto defibrillators in the Fire Department. 1.2 This issue was discussed at the Regional Fire Chief's meeting in September 1995, a presentation was given to the Fire Chiefs by Mr. Marty Epp from the Oshawa General Hospital and Dr. Shipley regarding defibrillation. 1.3 Followjng the presentation, the Regional Chiefs passed a motion to refer this presentation to the Region of Durham for information. The Region has. subsequently referred the issue to the area municipalities. 1.4 During the presentation to the Regional Chiefs, the general feeling was that the issue of defibrillation is the responsibility of the ambulance service as the Province .was funding this program for them. The issue that was raised during the presentation was that, since the Fire Service responded with ambulance to life threatening situations it would be of benefit to have the firefighters trained in the use of this equipment and possibly have auto defibrillation equipment on the Fire Department vehicles. Continued..... .~s~°o`~~ ~~oo`~A ~ ~ h FD-7-96 -2- 1.5 It was agreed that this would provide a valuable service to the residents of the various Municipalities. It was also acknowledged that the costs for such a service would be a major factor. Given the restraints the Municipalities find themselves under, to find such a substantial amount of money, as would be required for this program, would be very difficult, if not impossible. 1.6 Investigation was done into the cost of the program. It is understood the auto- defibrillators cost in the area of $10,000 per unit. Additional costs would be incurred to have the firefighters certified in the operation of the units and annual recertification. The estimated costs related to this training would be $16,000 in the first year, and an additional $10,000 approximately, for each subsequent year. 2 REPORT 2.1 It is understood that, since the Fire Department already responds with ambulance to life threatening calls, it may provide an additional level of service to the residents in cases where the firefighters arrive first at the scene of a cardiac arrest. It is also believed the additional program should not add to the number of responses, as we already assist the ambulance on these calls when requested to. 2.2 The major concern, however, is that it would add a substantial cost to the fire department's budget on an annual basis. It was for this reason the issue of the defibrillation program was referred to the Region, by the Fire Chiefs, for information given the fact the Region has representation from all area Municipalities. It was suggested the presentation made to the Fire Chiefs should be made to the Regional Council so they would have all the information available related to this issue. 2.3 It is believed that defibrillation is a worthwhile program, and would provide a higher level of service to the residents of the various Municipalities. However, given the costs related to the program, and the recent cuts from the Province, it would appear the funding for such a program would be extremely difficult to find. 3 COMMENTS 3.1 It was for this reason that a member of the Clarington Fire Department requested permission to investigate the possibility of finding a corporate sponsor for this program within the Municipality. Captain Trent Elyea has spent a substantial amount of time in an attempt to secure funding that would allow the Clarington Fire Department to provide this service at no additional cost to the tax payers of the Municipality. Continued..,.. 807 FD-7-96 -3- 3.2 Captain Elyea has contacted several area Corporations in an attempt to secure the required funding. Captain Elyea feels that his attempts may prove fruitful and the funding be available should this program be approved. 3.3 It should be noted that any further investigation into the availability of funding is on hold until the GTA report has been dealt with and the issue of the responsibility for the ambulance service has been determined. Respectfully submitted, `~~ ~~ 7~~ Michael G. Creigh n, AMCT(A), CMM1 Fire Chief. Reviewed by, W. H. Stockwell, Chief Administrative Officer MC/sr February 26, 1996. 8~8