No Injuries Resulting from Fire at 30 9th Ave.

In the mid-afternoon of May 25th, 2022, there was a minor fire at 30 9th Avenue, a 10-unit building in Englehart, Ontario. The cause of the fire was determined to be a result of work being conducted in the building by an external contractor. The safety measures in the building were efficiently implemented with all tenants being evacuated safely and the local fire department attending the building.

The fire was quickly controlled and then extinguished. The building was cleared by Englehart and Area Fire Chief in the early evening, permitting all tenants to re-enter their units through their external access doors. At the present it was determined that the damage was restricted to the central building and did not affect the tenant's units.

The Housing Services Management will be following up with restoration contractors to begin repairing the damages later this week.

The DTSSAB is thankful for the cooperation of the tenants of the building and the assistance of the Englehart and Area Fire Department.

The Community Paramedicine Long Term-Care Program Launch

The Community Paramedicine Long Term-Care program has begun treating patients in the Timiskaming District as of April 2022. There has been significant community engagement through referrals from Home and Community Care Support Services, medic referrals, the DTSSAB website, and word of mouth. Services are available 12hrs/7 days a week, with a phone number available for after-hours contact.

DTSSAB EMS is inspired by the level of passion of the Community Paramedic team. This group of individuals are enthusiastic about undertaking work that directly involves them with the community and helps bring peace of mind of a sense of stability to individuals, families and caregivers who are waiting on long-term care placement.

The DTSSAB announced the funding received from the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care of 2.5 million dollars to be disbursed over a 2.5 year period in March of this year. Part of this funding has been directed towards software, equipment, vehicles, hiring, and maintaining of staff. The staffing of the program will include 4 full-time medics, team lead, 8 alternate shift medics, and an Executive Assistant.

Future plans for the program include expansion by seeking a Medical Director to provide oversight for expansion of medical directives. In the future, this program may also include the use of Remote Patient Monitoring, which will increase the capacity of patients the program can undertake.

This week is Paramedic Services Week, with today specifically being dedicated to Civilian and Community Paramedics. The DTSSAB wishes to celebrate all of the paramedics and support staff that make up DTSSAB EMS as we graciously serve the district.

Paramedic Services Week 2022

May 22-28th, 2022, marks Paramedic Services Week. This year’s theme is #FacesofParamedicine. This week allows us to reflect and appreciate the paramedics who work every day to keep us and our communities healthy.

“On behalf of the DTSSAB Board, I would like to recognize all of our paramedics, this week and every week,” says DTSSAB Board Chair, Derek Mundle, “We are truly grateful for their contribution to the health and well-being of our communities. The services you provide is one that we all hope we never have to access, but that we take comfort in knowing we can count on you, should an emergency occur.”

This past year has seen the continued resilience of DTSSAB paramedics as they pivoted through the changing mandates and protocols of the pandemic. It saw the Leadership restructuring of the service, as well as the growth of the service through the welcome addition of the Off-Road Response Unit and Community Paramedicine program.

“Our paramedics form a team that I am honoured to lead,” said EMS Chief, John McCarthy, “they are dedicated to supporting the health of our community, through their dedication on duty, continued volunteering outside of regular duties, and constant push to expand their knowledge and skill base.”

The delivery of paramedicine requires a team including dispatch, training, logistics, specialities, and much more. The DTSSAB wishes to celebrate all paramedics and support staff that make up DTSSAB EMS as we graciously serve the district.

Municipal Reimbursement for Northern Fire Services

On March 19th, the province announced a new program, through the Northern Fire Protection Program, to reimburse municipalities that provide fire protection services in unincorporated areas. These funds will help northern municipalities recover costs associated with responses in areas without fire protection services such as search and rescue, medical, motor vehicle collision, and property fires that are not covered by any other funding agreements.

“This is welcome news for Timiskaming,” says Chair Derek Mundle. “In the past, local fire services have incurred significant costs for participating in search and rescue missions in remote areas without fire protection. Such significant costs can have a detrimental effect on the budgets of smaller fire services and the municipalities as a whole."

The program will be administered by Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal. The types of calls that are eligible for reimbursement include:

• Structure fires and carbon monoxide-related incidents

• Search and rescue operations and emergency medical care

• Motor vehicle collisions occurring on roads that are not provincial highways

• Hazardous material requests

Local fire services can possess an immense amount of knowledge and expertise in regards to assisting OPP and EMS to locate, access and assist ill and injured patients when located in the remote areas of our District. The DTSSAB EMS looks forward to strengthening our partnerships with local fire services in the best interest of providing care to individuals in need throughout our District.

“We were pleased to see this announcement and are grateful for the advocacy efforts of Danny Whalen on behalf of FONOM, John Vanthof’s office, and James Township in bringing this issue to the forefront with the Province” said DTSSAB Chair Derek Mundle.