Motion 2014-015

Whereas the County of Lennox and Addington has reduced the Denbigh ambulance base to a twelve hour service;

and Whereas the County of Lennox and Addington staff recommendation was to close the base completely;

and Whereas the time from the Northbrook ambulance base to Denbigh is 30 minutes at a minimum;

and Whereas the time from Denbigh to the nearest hospital is 50 minutes;

and Whereas the minimum time for an Ambulance from Northbrook, even when traversing the shortest possible distance, is 80 minutes;

and Whereas there is a township fire station in Denbigh;

and Whereas the volunteer firefighters at the Denbigh station act as First Responders;

and Whereas the First Responders enabling legislation is the Good Samaritan Act;

and Whereas the Good Samaritan Act limits First Responders to providing assistance only at the site where assistance is required;

and Whereas the actions of the County of Lennox and Addington have severely compromised the safety and security of the people living in and around Denbigh as well as neighbouring counties;

and Whereas giving First Responders the ability to transport to hospital would significantly enhance the safety and security of rural residents in Denbigh and throughout Ontario;

and Whereas asking volunteer First Responders to stand by helplessly while someone whose life might be saved dies is psychologically damaging and cruel;

now Therefore be it Resolved that:

The Denbigh Townhall write a letter to the Attorney General of Ontario requesting that the Good Samaritan Act be amended to permit the Attorney General to override, by Regulation, under certain conditions the restriction that the Good Samaritan Act only applies at the “immediate scene of the accident or emergency”;

and be it further Resolved that First Responders be permitted, by Regulation, to transport to hospital if a life could be lost or severely compromised if transport is delayed;

and be it further Resolved that this motion be sent to the Addington Highlands council with a request for support.

Motion withdrawn at the request of the Ambulance Committee ( C2014-008 )