May 6-12, 2024, is Mental Health Week, an annual event organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), to promote mental health for all Canadians. This year’s theme, “Compassion”, explores human connection and the creation of healing pathways.

Mental Health Week is a yearly reminder to take stock of our own psychological health and wellness, and that of the people around us. You make a positive difference in people’s lives by offering them kindness and compassion. Remember to offer that same kindness and compassion to yourself. Acknowledge the good work you do and the impact you have on our community. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to someone you care for. With these self-compassionate acts, you take steps to enhance your resilience and improve your own psychological well-being.

Throughout Mental Health Week, our Psychological Health and Wellness clinical staff and members of our Peer Resource Team (PRT) are excited to connect with you. They will be visiting your work locations, including stations, emergency departments, desks, and offices, distributing Mental Health Week information and resource cards and some small tokens. Be sure to say hello and learn more about the Psychological Health and Wellness resources available to all TPS staff.

Please visit the Staff Blog to find out how to contact our Psychological Health and Wellness clinical staff and current PRT members. Explore the collection of psychological health and wellness information and resources, including the updated list of crisis and community mental health resources and the services provided by Telus Health EAP. Scan the QR code and save it on your personal smartphone or follow the shortcut on TPS-issued phones to the Staff Blog homepage and click on the Psychological Health & Wellness Resources tab for easy access to these resources at any time, from any location.

Please treat yourself with the compassion you deserve, not only during Mental Health Week, but every week. Thank you for all that you continue to do.

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)
Bikram Chawla

Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club Smile Cookie Campaign Launch

On Monday, TPS attended the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign launch in support of the Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club and other charities. It was an exciting morning of friendly competition amongst attendees, who included our allied partners from Toronto Police and Toronto Fire Services. The event kicked off a weeklong campaign to support the Breakfast Club’s goal of feeding 10,000 local children in need. The “icing” on the cake—or cookie as it were—was when Emergency Medical Call Taker Veronica Brown won the top prize for best-decorated cookie! Congratulations to all participants and thank you for contributing your time and tastebuds to this worthy cause!

To continue modernizing workflows without changing current practice, on May 15, 2024, Scheduling will communicate and accept Long-Term Backfill Expression of Interest (LTB EOI) submissions for temporary placements through the Scheduling Portal, which can be accessed via https://www.temseducation.com/scheduling

Paramedics will now be required to submit their LTB EOI for temporary placement following the same process used for submitting Station and Swing bids.

The process and rules of how LTB opportunities are managed and awarded will not change from current practice. The attached document, SAMPLE Long Term Backfill Expression of Interest.pdf details the bid process and includes an example of what the LTB EOI for temporary placements will look like.

If you have any questions, please contact PS-SchedulingMgmt@toronto.ca.

DOWNLOAD:
SAMPLE Long Term Backfill Expression of Interest.pdf

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)
Kristopher Staley

As you are aware, within the Appendix to Schedule P to the Collective Agreement Part-time Paramedic Terms and Conditions of Employment, there is the opportunity twice during the year for full-time permanent Paramedics to express an interest to move to a part-time position. Any such Paramedic who accepts a part-time position is, for the duration of their part-time employment, subject to all terms and conditions that apply to part-time Paramedics.

Twice a year, the City will seek an expression of interest from full-time permanent Paramedics who wish to be considered for employment as a part-time Paramedic in their own classification. Full-time permanent Paramedics expressing interest in doing so will be considered for part-time employment, subject to the following:

Should you have any further questions, please contact John Stone or Steve Skandalis at 416-397-5744, or you may send an email to John Stone and Steve.Skandalis@toronto.ca. A copy of the Appendix to the Collective Agreement (for part-time paramedics) can be provided if requested.

With the introduction of the Omnibus Agreement for Unpaid Post-Secondary Student Placements, Toronto Paramedic Services staff are no longer required to complete and submit a QuatroSafety report (WSIB Form 7) for student injury and illness. Per this agreement, the college assumes the role of “placement employer” in the event of a WSIB claim and thus is responsible for injury and illness reporting.

In the event of a paramedic student injury or illness, please ensure the following actions are completed:

• Ensure the student receives first aid/medical attention as required.
• Conduct any required actions as you would for an injury scene (e.g., site security, preservation, etc.).
• Document the circumstances of the injury or illness, including incident events, witnesses, observations, etc. Immediately send this information to Education & Development at paramedic.placements@toronto.ca and psedu@toronto.ca for college notification and action.
• Contact the on-duty Clinical Superintendent (416-392 3000 option 8, selection 1) for assistance if required.

In the event of a critical injury, please follow the process of notifying the Deputy Commander of the injury or illness.

If you have any questions, please email paramedic.placements@toronto.ca.

 (Original signed by)
April Hugh

First Responders Day

On May 1, we recognize First Responders Day in Ontario; a day to acknowledge and thank all emergency responders who help protect and preserve life in our province and city.

Your outstanding work as Paramedics, Emergency Medical Dispatchers, Call Takers, Support, and Leadership staff has a positive impact on our community every day. Thank you for all you do to keep Torontonians healthy and safe!

Mental Health Week 2024

May 6-12, 2024, is #MentalHealthWeek and it’s all about how #CompassionConnects. Learn more about the weeklong events and activities, including a Wellness Fair supported by our Community Paramedics on May 8 at Metro Hall (55 John Street) from 11:00 to 14:00. Stay tuned for more information. 

Anniversary of the Yonge Street Tragedy

This past Wednesday marked the anniversary of the Yonge Street Van Attack. This event affected many of our staff. If you or those close to you need help, please reach out to any of the Psychological Health and Wellness Information and Resources available, including the national 9-8-8 Crisis Helpline.

Communications Centre staff have begun 12-hour observation shifts (i.e., ride outs) with Paramedic crews. This opportunity will support greater awareness of operational procedures and demands, as well as relationship building between Communications staff and Paramedics.

Observation shifts are being coordinated by District and CACC Administrative Superintendents. Communications staff will book on with the Paramedic crew at their assigned station and will be in uniform with all required materials, including safety equipment and PPE. Communications staff are not required to ride out with a Field Training Officer.

The observation program will expand in the future to reintroduce Paramedic observation shifts in the Communications Centre. More information will be available once a launch date is determined.

If you have any questions, please speak with your Superintendent.

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)                  (Original signed by)
Michael Wionzek                       Leo Tsang

Thank you to our Communications Centre Staff

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week closes out a whirlwind of celebrations tomorrow! This week, Mayor Olivia Chow issued an official proclamation honouring Toronto’s dedicated Telecommunicators. Members of the Senior Team, colleagues, and loved ones attended the Tri-Service Awards at Police Headquarters on Monday, and an ACE Recipient Recognition Ceremony at our HQ on Tuesday. Staff also enjoyed a group yoga session and a host of games, and food throughout the week.

Thank you to our outstanding team of Emergency Medical Call Takers and Dispatchers, Senior Emergency Medical Dispatchers, Communication Training Officers, Support and Leadership staff for their ongoing dedication to our community members.

TPS Staff Blog: Now Online!

We are pleased to report the TPS Staff Blog is back online! As a reminder, staff can access a wide variety of resources, including updated clinical advisories, memorandums, SOPs, and event photos.

Trillium Health Partners has changed the Paramedic access code for the Mississauga Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital ambulance bays.

The new access code for both locations is: (contact your superintendent)

Access to both Emergency Departments remains unchanged. If you need access but do not recall the code, please refer to your MobiCAD or call the Communications Centre for the access code.

This code is not meant to be shared outside of Toronto Paramedic Services.

Thank you,
(Original signed by)
Kimberly O’Donnell

A crane will be on-site at TWH on Saturday, April 20, 2024, between the hours of 04:00 and 20:00. During this time there will be no parking in the lot adjacent to the emergency entrance. Paramedic crews will be expected to move their vehicles onto Carlyle Street at their earliest opportunity to ensure arriving units can safely unload.

Police and flag persons will be on-site to assist with safe vehicle movement. Paramedics are expected to follow the Vehicle Backing Up procedure as outlined in SOP 03.04.27.

If you have any questions, please speak with an on-duty Superintendent.

Thank you,
(Original signed by)
Kimberly O’Donnell

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