Heartland Health Region: Request for Policies to Guide EMS Changes

During the Heartland Health Region meeting with elected officials Heartland Health requested policies to help guide their discussions to improve EMS in West Central Saskatchewan. Here is what we put forward:

·         No municipal monies will be required for the operations of EMS in their area, including the recruitment and retention of personnel.

·         Evidence-based staging of EMS equipment and personnel to effectively and efficiently cover primary risk areas to respond to expected incidents.

·         Primary risk areas are identified and sufficient coverage is available.

·         The scope of personnel recruited and retained is sufficient to effectively and efficiently address emergencies.

·         Sufficient resources are allocated to human resources ensuring that EMS staffing levels are stable and sufficient.

·         That resources allocated to EMS staff are sufficient to recruit and retain staff.

·         That EMS staff has a quality of life that precludes burnout.

·         Sufficient resources are allocated to equipment, ensuring that all equipment is reliable, safe, and providing the best reasonable opportunity for success for individuals in need.