Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and

First Aid Training Contract

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommends the adoption of the report dated November 23, 1998, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

(a)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee providing:

(i)the current status of the Corporate Safety First Aid and CPR training group;

(ii)the number of staff who are currently trained in First Aid and CPR; and

(iii)recommendations, if necessary, on how the First Aid/CPR Programs should be enhanced in the future; and

(b)referred to the Budget Committee for review and approval the following motion:

"That all revenues that accrue from First Aid/CPR Programs be utilized to fund initiatives, including the Public Access Defibrillation Program, that contribute to City Council's commitment to being a 'Cardiac Safe City'."

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee submits the following report (November23, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To seek the approval of Council to enter into a contract with the Toronto District School Board for the provision of First Aid/CPR programs. This report also identifies the community benefits of providing First Aid/CPR programs to the students and staff within the Toronto District School Board.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

This initiative is intended to be revenue-neutral to marginally revenue-positive. Fees for courses will be paid on a per-student basis, and there will be full cost-recovery of all program expenses. It is estimated that the net revenues arising from the program may amount to approximately $45,000.00 This will be paid to the City of Toronto.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. City Council give approval for Toronto Ambulance to enter into a contract with the Toronto District School Board for the purposes of providing training in Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and safety related training programs;

2. City Council endorse Toronto Ambulance's pursuit of other First Aid/CPR revenue generating opportunities;

3. City Council endorse Toronto Ambulance's promotion of public awareness and training in First Aid and CPR; and

4. the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

In 1988, Toronto Ambulance established the Corporate Safety First Aid and CPR training group. The mandate of this unit is to deliver First Aid/CPR programs to employees of Toronto, and its Agencies, Boards Commissions and Departments. This group was, and continues to be, staffed with permanently partially disabled paramedics, individuals who have suffered work related injuries and are unable to continue with their pre-injury roles.

Over the years the expertise of the unit and the reputation of each of its programs has become very well known, both within Toronto and to a number of outside organizations. Many agencies continue to solicit the services of the Safety First Aid and CPR group in order to provide their Workplace Safety and First Aid/CPR programs. Organizations for whom programs have been delivered include the City of North York, the North York Board of Education, the Ontario Association of Hostels and De Havilland.

The Toronto Safety First Aid and Training program has been recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) as being able to provide the equivalent of the First Aid requirements legislated under Regulation 1101. As well, CPR training meets all of the standards and guidelines set out by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Although the program is mainly delivered on a cost-recovery basis, overall benefits are recognized through contribution to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) public awareness and, by extension, through contribution to increased citizen survival from cardiac arrest.

Potential for additional revenues exist through the establishment of organizational instructor pools and by the sale of First Aid/CPR course books and materials.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Toronto Ambulance has promoted a number of public awareness, safety and first aid and health awareness programs within the community. Recently Council recommended that Toronto become a "Cardiac Safe City", through the promotion of CPR and Public Access Defibrillation training. A recent review of statistics from the Toronto Ambulance database indicates that in order to positively influence survival from cardiac arrest - and to become a Cardiac Safe City - greater public awareness, education and involvement is required. One of the ways of meeting this need is through the provision of training and public awareness programs to the youth in our school systems. In many parts of Canada and the United States this type of training is a standard part of school curriculum, and helps ingrain the need for vigilance and responsiveness in the face of unexpected medical emergencies. Truly, the overall effectiveness of the health care system begins at the first responder level, and early training helps foster that practice.

Toronto Ambulance has supported the Acute Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation in its efforts to make CPR training a mandatory component of grade nine curriculum in all schools. The Toronto District School Board has made a request for proposals for such training. The opportunity to participate in this contract will allow Toronto Ambulance to enhance its commitment to the City of Toronto's goal of becoming a "Cardiac Safe City".

In order to support the school board in this initiative, instructors from the Toronto Safety First Aid and CPR program will be utilized. Once programs are established, instructors will be identified from within the school board itself, and they in turn will be able to continue training staff and students.

Initial training will include 1,800 participants for Emergency First Aid and CPR, 600 participants for Standard First Aid and CPR, and 200 participants for CPR alone. The contract for training represents an amount of $78,000.00. The cost to Toronto Ambulance to provide the training - inclusive of instructor wages and course materials - will be approximately $33,500.00 dollars, leaving a net profit of approximately $45,000.00.

Conclusions:

Toronto Ambulance's participation in first aid and CPR training in schools will further contribute to Toronto's commitment to being a "Cardiac Safe City". This, along with other initiatives, such as Public Access Defibrillation, will help the public better appreciate the important role they can play within the Emergency Medical Services system in Toronto. This strengthening of the first link in the "chain of survival" will enhance the medical chances of those citizens who suffer from an unexpected cardiac illness or, worse, a cardiac arrest.

Through opportunities such as the contract with the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Ambulance can ensure appropriate training is provided, and that activities related to public awareness are optimized.

Contact Name:

Norm Lambert,

Manager, EMS Education and Development Unit

Tel: 392-2061/Fax: 392-2149