During the most recent OPFFA Convention in Ottawa, a resolution was passed that supported the OPFFA engaging a PR campaign with respect to the utilization of the fire service in medical responses. As you are aware there have been attempts to minimize if not outright stop the fire service from responding to medical emergencies.
The OPFFA has been lobbying for years to achieve simultaneous dispatch (notification) with EMS for when the fire service is dispatched to a medical emergency. We have witnessed some recent success with the provincial government supporting a pilot project for simultaneous notification. We expect this project to be conducted this fall.
We are aware of the EMS community working actively against fire's involvement, as most publicly witnessed in Toronto recently. Since convention we have hired a PR firm and developed a campaign that will outline the importance of continuing to utilize the local fire service in life and limb threatening medical emergencies. Phase 1 of this campaign was the development of a website with a Facebook site and Twitter account embedded within the site.
The site went 'live' today and can be found at www.sendfirefighters.ca. I am requesting that you click on the site and view the materials and if you are a Facebook subscriber to click on the Facebook site and indicate that you "like" our site. For the users of Twitter, please remember to use the hashtag #sendfirefighters. Please ensure this information is forwarded to your membership.
There will be further developments as this campaign unfolds over the next few days and weeks and we will continue to advise you.
Fraternally,
Fred LeBlanc, President, OPFFA
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