BlackburnNews.com file photo of a Chatham-Kent EMS ambulance. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com file photo of a Chatham-Kent EMS ambulance. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Chatham

CK Councillor Wants To Take Stress Off EMS

A Chatham-Kent councillor wants the municipality to do everything possible to relieve stress on emergency services.

Councillor Mark Authier plans to present a motion to council on Monday, which calls for the municipality to look at options, within the current budget and staff resources, to alleviate stress on EMS and improve delivery to Chatham-Kent.

"This year, I don't know if there's a lot that we can do about it, because it's not in the budget this year... I'm just hoping that they can come up with something that will take the stress off our EMS employees," says Authier.

He is also requesting that administration bring forward options for service improvements to meet EMS demands in the 2018 budget.

"For the next budget, I'd like another ambulance on the road with two EMS employees in it," says Authier.

Authier says he has received many complaints from members of the community and EMS staff about problems that have risen from some recent changes to the municipality's EMS departments to keep up with demands and fill service gaps.

He adds that a concern for many is that other regions will start to come in and take over.

"Most of our ambulances from Tilbury are stationed in Merlin, so it sounds like now Lakeshore may be coming into Tilbury to service our residents, which isn't the greatest thing for us," explains Authier.

Authier says he anticipates other councillors to chime in and make friendly amendments to the motion on Monday.

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