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June 12, 2015

Presidents Update: Delta First Responders

Dear Members:
It has come to our attention that on May 25, 2015 the municipality of Delta passed a by-law to
approve the provision of enhanced on-scene emergency medical care by the Delta Firefighters. The
Delta Fire Departments First Responders stated they intend to practice at the EMR level, starting on
June 15, 2015.
We have had some discussions with BCEHS leadership, who have confirmed that they do not
support nor have made any agreements as per 5.1 of the Emergency Health Services Act to permit
the Delta Firefighters to practice as First Responders at the EMR level.
While at the Provincial Joint Labour Management Committee meeting yesterday, we strongly
opposed the Employers plan to continue to dispatch medical calls to the Delta Fire Department. In
our view, doing so is essentially condoning and legitimizing Delta municipalities illegal actions.
The union took the position that the employer should not dispatch Delta First Responders, knowing
theyre committing illegal acts. We also made it clear to the employer that the underlying issue is a
lack of Paramedic resources, which needs to be immediately addressed by the employer and
government. We reiterated to BCEHS the legal, liability, licensing, patient and public safety
ramifications of allowing these illegal acts to continue.
We will also be evaluating what other legal options are available to the union, in response to the
Delta Fire Departments actions.
In the interim, it is important that our Paramedics remain focused on the patient, and delivering the
highest patient care possible. If you encounter a situation where First Responders are treating a
patient in an illegal manner, please ensure you fully document the situation on your BCEHS PCR.
Also, ensure you get a copy of the PCR completed by the First Responders. As you would do
normally, please ensure all of these forms are scanned and submitted into the PCIS system.

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If you witness a breach in patient care, the EMR terms of license or the EMA code of ethics, you
may submit a complaint to the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB).
Complaints must be submitted, with all the required information, to makeacomplaint@gov.bc.ca. Full
details on and requirements of the complaint process can be found here: http://goo.gl/gjWQS5.
We will keep you posted as matters progress.
Sincerely,

Bronwyn Barter
Provincial President
Ambulance Paramedics of BC
CUPE Local 873

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