A recent swell in violence-related emergency medical response incidents in Winnipeg has renewed debate about whether or not paramedics should be issued body armour in the interest of personal protection and safety. The need for this type of equipment and any decision related to mandatory use of body armour is a discussion I'll leave to the health and safety experts and labour organizations within the profession. But comments made by City Councillor Gord Steeves related to this topic leave me shaking my head.
When questioned about the need for body armour by a local Winnipeg TV news reporter, Councillor Steeves smirkingly replied that it would be hard to rationalize the need for this type of protection for paramedics working "outside the urban core". As the Chair of Winnipeg's Standing Committee on Protection and Community Services, it appears Councillor Steeves is either suggesting violence doesn't occur outside of the downtown core, or he has limited knowledge about status management and dispatch of EMS resources within his jurisdiction.
The fact that paramedics responding to incidents in an urban core are more likely to encounter violence-related calls is one I would not argue. BUT, apparently not well understood by the Councillor is the fact that EMS resources are not and should not be limited to geographical boundaries. They are regularly and routinely sent to where they are needed, regardless of where they are stationed. Any paramedic in Winnipeg could respond to a call in the downtown core, just as any paramedic working in a rural environment could be dispatched to bordering areas. That's how any well coordinated and efficient EMS service is managed.
In fairness to Councillor Steeves, however, local politicians shouldn't be expected to be experts in the management of health care services and resources. Another argument for Manitoba to consider a provincial EMS model.
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