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Huron Expositor, 2016-07-20, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, July 20, 2016 (Postmedia file photo Huron County council voted to immediately remove the Advanced Care Paramedics from its roster and replace them with Primary Care Paramedics. County council decides to eliminate Advanced Care Paramedic program Laura Broadley Postmedia Network A strong contingent of Huron County paramedics made its presence known dur- ing the July 6 council meeting. Dressed in their identifiable fluorescent uniforms, about 15 paramedics came to refute the idea that ridding the county of Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP) was in the best interest of residents. A vote of eight to seven was recorded in favour of ending the ACP program in the county immediately or as soon as possible within the collective agreement. The topic has been widely debated in county council chambers over the last few weeks, with many councillors arguing in favour of each side. The move was made so more Primary Care » IAA 1:1MOM Paramedics (PCP) could be used on the road in the hopes of decreasing response times. The ACP scope of practice is bigger than a PCP. They are qualified to administer more medications, including morphine. ACPs are also trained in a number of pro- cedures that PCPs are not, including intubation. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said his concern was that the outer region of the county wasn't being served as well as the rest. With the removal of ACPs, the county would be able to have more PCPs on the road in the hope that it would decrease response times. There is no guarantee that an ACP would be on a call where they are needed. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said it wasn't about saving money for him, but increasing the availability of paramedics. Council heard from Brad Watters, a Huron County ACP and CUPE 4513 repre- sentative. He said there were 14 ACPs within the Huron County Paramedic Services, some of which were trained to become ACPs at a cost to the county. Two paramedics paid the program fees them- selves, at a cost of about $15,000, only to find out a job wasn't available. An ACP is not on every call, and they don't use their extra skills every day, but it is an asset to Huron County to have them. There are many examples where ACP skills have saved a life, but they aren't allowed to talk about it because of confidentiality, Watters said. Perth, Bruce and Grey coun- ties don't have ACPs, and Oxford County has one trained ACP in a supervisor role. A motion was made to phase out ACPs in Huron County through retirement, but it was defeated in a 10 to five vote. If the county were to phase out ACPs through attri- tion it would take 30 years and cost about $2.3 -million. MacLellan made a motion to stop the ACP program immediately. He said it would cost $600,000 to do it that way, which was why he was in favour of it happening immediately. The motion passed in a recorded vote. Watters said he was disap- pointed with the decision. The Ministry of Health funds 50 per cent of the costs, about $90,000, and the county was "handing it back," Watters said. Increasing the number of ACPs would be a solution to the paramedic coverage issue, Watters said. A petition has been started on www.change.org by "Concerned Citizens of Huron" to stop the cuts to the Huron County Para- medic Service. It had over 1,150 supporters at the time of publication. A celebration for a near -century old farming organization Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor McGavin Farm Equipment celebrated their 80th year in business July 15. Located just north of Walton on County Road BE READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL' ... COME DRIVE BUS FOR US! Murphy Bus Lines Would you like a part-time job without having to worry about working evenings or weekends? Do you like working with kids? We provide all the training and assist you to get your bus licence. We are an equal opportunity employer. Apply on line at www.murphybuslines.ca Email murphy@murphybus.ca Please call 1-877-289-6507 to set up an interview. Clinton:519-482-3493 clinton@murphybus.ca Seaforth:519-522-1222 seaforth@murphybus.ca Mitchell:519-348-4725 mitchell@murphybus.ca Exeter:519-235-0450 exeter@murphybus.ca St. Marys:519-229-8956 stmarys@murphybus.ca ea ort uronex.ositor.co 12, the business that wel- comes sales in the range of $24 million a year, rejoiced with the commu- nity with activities, a 50 -foot Ferris Wheel as well as several other prizes and games. The Huron Heat hockey team handed out pulled pork sandwiches, along with hot dogs, pop and water. The event launched at 10 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. with more than 2000 people in attendance by 2 p.m. Marketing coordinator for McGavin Farm Equipment, Justin Laporte was not sur- prised at the attendance or how long the business has been providing Huron County with agriculture equipment. "The main reason for us lasting 80 years is simply the community we are involved in, being a family run business also helps that," he said in a recent interview. "We would definitely not be where we are today with- out the community support- ing us:' JflLJRC'H DIREICTORY You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspirit@tcc.on.ca Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge Sunday July 24 Worship at 9:30am Everyone Welcome EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Worship Leader: Gayle Coleman July 24th 10:30am No Youth Sunday School until September Kids in the Kitchen Aug 15-19,chionly noon Fee $20 per child, only 18 accepted Contact Theresa Kolkman tess.1972@tcc.on.ca Everyone Welcome For more information view our website 11 www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris July 24 - 10 am "Three Spurious Claims" July 31 - 10 am "Keeping His Commands" FridayJuly22 Youth Group - meet at church 6:30 Wednesday July 27 Prayer Time - 7 pm • Youth Group 6:30 - 9pm L5. EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Dwight Nelson Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship July24 -11am ' Nursery Provided as Needed �t ALL WELCOME » IAA 1:1MOM Paramedics (PCP) could be used on the road in the hopes of decreasing response times. The ACP scope of practice is bigger than a PCP. They are qualified to administer more medications, including morphine. ACPs are also trained in a number of pro- cedures that PCPs are not, including intubation. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said his concern was that the outer region of the county wasn't being served as well as the rest. With the removal of ACPs, the county would be able to have more PCPs on the road in the hope that it would decrease response times. There is no guarantee that an ACP would be on a call where they are needed. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said it wasn't about saving money for him, but increasing the availability of paramedics. Council heard from Brad Watters, a Huron County ACP and CUPE 4513 repre- sentative. He said there were 14 ACPs within the Huron County Paramedic Services, some of which were trained to become ACPs at a cost to the county. Two paramedics paid the program fees them- selves, at a cost of about $15,000, only to find out a job wasn't available. An ACP is not on every call, and they don't use their extra skills every day, but it is an asset to Huron County to have them. There are many examples where ACP skills have saved a life, but they aren't allowed to talk about it because of confidentiality, Watters said. Perth, Bruce and Grey coun- ties don't have ACPs, and Oxford County has one trained ACP in a supervisor role. A motion was made to phase out ACPs in Huron County through retirement, but it was defeated in a 10 to five vote. If the county were to phase out ACPs through attri- tion it would take 30 years and cost about $2.3 -million. MacLellan made a motion to stop the ACP program immediately. He said it would cost $600,000 to do it that way, which was why he was in favour of it happening immediately. The motion passed in a recorded vote. Watters said he was disap- pointed with the decision. The Ministry of Health funds 50 per cent of the costs, about $90,000, and the county was "handing it back," Watters said. Increasing the number of ACPs would be a solution to the paramedic coverage issue, Watters said. A petition has been started on www.change.org by "Concerned Citizens of Huron" to stop the cuts to the Huron County Para- medic Service. It had over 1,150 supporters at the time of publication. A celebration for a near -century old farming organization Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor McGavin Farm Equipment celebrated their 80th year in business July 15. Located just north of Walton on County Road BE READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL' ... COME DRIVE BUS FOR US! Murphy Bus Lines Would you like a part-time job without having to worry about working evenings or weekends? Do you like working with kids? We provide all the training and assist you to get your bus licence. We are an equal opportunity employer. Apply on line at www.murphybuslines.ca Email murphy@murphybus.ca Please call 1-877-289-6507 to set up an interview. Clinton:519-482-3493 clinton@murphybus.ca Seaforth:519-522-1222 seaforth@murphybus.ca Mitchell:519-348-4725 mitchell@murphybus.ca Exeter:519-235-0450 exeter@murphybus.ca St. Marys:519-229-8956 stmarys@murphybus.ca ea ort uronex.ositor.co 12, the business that wel- comes sales in the range of $24 million a year, rejoiced with the commu- nity with activities, a 50 -foot Ferris Wheel as well as several other prizes and games. The Huron Heat hockey team handed out pulled pork sandwiches, along with hot dogs, pop and water. The event launched at 10 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. with more than 2000 people in attendance by 2 p.m. Marketing coordinator for McGavin Farm Equipment, Justin Laporte was not sur- prised at the attendance or how long the business has been providing Huron County with agriculture equipment. "The main reason for us lasting 80 years is simply the community we are involved in, being a family run business also helps that," he said in a recent interview. "We would definitely not be where we are today with- out the community support- ing us:'