The Director of Fire and Emergency Services for the North Huron Fire Department says Thursday's new legislation for first responders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is great news.
David Sparling says many personnel and first responders are facing PTSD related isssues; some of which can manifest over the course of an entire career or from a significant event. Sparling welcomes the new legislation .
"Anything that comes out in support of that (PTSD related issues) is fantastic news," says Sparling.
The new legislation, announced by Provincial Labour Minister Kevin Flynn on Thursday, will remove the need for first responders to prove to the Workplace Insurance & Safety Board that their PTSD is caused by their work.
This in turn will give those suffering from PTSD related issues quicker and easier access to benefits and treatment, something Sparling is on board with.
"For rural fire services which may not have the resources of a department such as Toronto's, having (WSIB) acknowledge and support our personnel is fantastic news," adds Sparling.
Those covered under the new legislation would include fire fighters, paramedics, police officers, correctional workers, dispatchers (police, fire, ambulance) and First Nations emergency response teams.
