Today, the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced that a final agreement has been reached with private and community road ambulance operator associations.
The agreement extends the associations’ service agreements to March 31, 2022. It includes a four per cent wage increase per full-time employee over two years. The agreement includes additional support to establish community paramedicine programming through planning, hiring contract resources and undertaking pilot projects. To support ambulance service in rural areas of the province, the agreement also provides funding for rural ambulance operators to hire Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs).
The private road ambulance operators are represented by two associations, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Ambulance Services (NAAS), and the Newfoundland and Labrador Ambulance Operator Association (NLAOA). Together they represent the interests of 25 commercial operators with 44 bases and a fleet of 113 ambulances. The Community Based Ambulance Services (NLCAOA) Inc. represents 22 not-for-profit operators and bases with a fleet of 26 ambulances. For the first time, these three industry associations have committed to negotiating together as a single entity.
Quotes
“This agreement is good news for all. It will ensure stability in ambulance operations in the province during a critical time in our health care system. By working together, we are strengthening the road ambulance program across the province to benefit residents, workers, and communities.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“We are pleased to have reached a new ambulance service agreement. Throughout the process we have achieved positive developments that will be of benefit to the industry in providing road ambulance service throughout the province. Ambulance Operators in the province are committed to providing quality and professional service to the communities we serve, and we look forward to continuing to work with the province in providing pre-hospital care and ambulance services to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Wayne W. Power
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Ambulance Operators Association (NLAOA)
“The Community Based Ambulance Services is pleased to have worked with industry partners and government to successfully negotiate a new ambulance service agreement. The agreement stabilizes funding and allows our members to continue providing emergency response to rural communities in our province. The agreement also places an emphasis on community paramedicine as well as involving advanced care paramedics practising in the rural setting.”
Max Taylor
President, Community Based Ambulance Services (NLCAOA) Inc.
“The Newfoundland Association of Ambulance Services Inc. are happy with the arrangements negotiated in the latest Ambulance Service Agreement with the Provincial Government, in light of these difficult economic times. This will provide improvements for staff and increased services for some communities with high call volumes.”
Bob Fewer
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Ambulance Services (NAAS) Inc.
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Media contacts
Lesley Clarke
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca
Wayne Power
President
Newfoundland and Labrador Ambulance Operators Association (NLAOA)
709-213-0252
powersambulance@nf.sympatico.ca
Max Taylor
President
Community Based Ambulance Services (NLCAOA) Inc.
709-685-4910
mtaylorbdc@hotmail.com
Bob Fewer
President
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Ambulance Services (NAAS) Inc.
709-466-3468
rfewer@fewers.nf.ca