Windsor's mayor is sounding an alarm over the idea firefighters could be trained to have the same qualifications as paramedics.
Firefighter associations have been pushing the idea as a way to improve the outcomes of patients where fire crews are the first responders. But Drew Dilkens says, while that message sounds good, the real issue is increasing pay for firefighters.
Speaking on AM800's The Lynn Martin Show, Dilkens says the current contract for firefighters means the city would be hit with a cost of over $250,000. He says the firefighters argument sounds good, but there's no proof it's accurate.
"That's all fine and well in terms of the messaging that's being sent out, but at the end of the day I go back to what the Premier said, 'They're not going to move forward with this until and unless there's data that shows this does improve patient outcome. To date, that data doesn't exist.' "
Dilkens adds that this is a province-wide concern of municipalities.He says if one community approves this change, it will make its way to every municipality through the arbitration process.
Dilkens is also worried about liability and WSIB issues if there's "two-hatting" where a firefighter trained as a paramedic works for EMS during his off hours.