Fifteen percent of Cornwall SD&G Paramedics on leave for work related injury

by Nick Seebruch with files from Shawna O'Neill
Fifteen percent of Cornwall SD&G Paramedics on leave for work related injury
The rear view of a Cornwall SD&G Ambulance (Ali Gearey/ Seaway News).

CORNWALL, Ontario – In a presentation to United Counties of SD&G Council Deputy Chief of Cornwall and SD&G Paramedics Wayne Markell explained that 10 out of his services’ 66 paramedics are on leave for work related injuries. He went on to say that the lion’s share of that was due to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).

“PTSD has now been recognized as a personal injury within the platform…for first responders,” Markell told Council. “That dialogue and that opening of avenue for paramedics is welcome within our ranks. It is something that has probably been avoided in years past with all emergency services. We are seeing a substantial use of that avenue for some of those workers. We believe they have been working and suffering in silence for quite a few years…”

In 2016, the Ontario government under the Wynne Liberals passed legislation allowing First Responders to make claims of work related injury due to PTSD through the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).

Markell told Council that Cornwall and SD&G Paramedics intended to use some of their training budget to fund mental health training.

“We have taken some of our training money, which we would normal utilize in education for …move some funding to mental health training package,” he said. “It is our goal to reduce injury rates…physical and mental…for now and the next five years to enhance the training packages as best as we can.”

Markell estimated that the funding would be in the area of $3,000.

SD&G Warden Jamie MacDonald asked if there was a long-term plan to deal with the PTSD issue.

“I wish I could tell you there was a group to provide resources and knowledge…right now, we are struggling, as every service in the province is, trying to figure out exactly the right place to garner the expertise and evidence based straetgies…” Markell replied.

Markell explained that the goal was to shift away from treatment towards prevention and that his service hoped to work with the Eastern Ontario Paramedic Services Group to find cost effective ways to deal with the issue across the region.

He went on to say that the numbers of paramedics affected by PTSD is not unique to Cornwall and the Counties.

“Its much higher than we ever thought it would be…caught WSIB and Minister of Labour off guard,” he said. “With training funds, bringing in people who have a personal focus in emergency services and speaking in a proactive and preventative measure.”

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