Mission Statement

To be innovative, strategic and effective in the provision of high quality pre-hospital care.

Service Commitment/Standard Operating Procedures

Policy Statement

Rama Paramedic Services commits to the provision of ambulance services in a manner that allows the closest available and most appropriate ambulance to be dispatched regardless of location or jurisdiction, and will work with other municipal, provincial and federal agencies, as required, to respond to requests for assistance in such instances. Our service will work cooperatively with other agencies to provide comprehensive emergency medical services that are accessible, integrated, seamless, accountable and responsive.

Application

All personnel employed by Rama Paramedic Services.

Policy Description

To provide Rama Paramedic Services staff and stakeholders guidelines for the timely and efficient provision of land ambulance services in accordance with legislation.

Procedures

Article I.  Service Commitment

Rama Paramedic Services is a progressive team of well-qualified professionals committed to achieving and delivering the highest medical standards. By responding to emergencies in a coordinated and efficient manner, the people of Rama First Nation can be confident in the quality of patient care provided. Only Paramedics who hold current qualifications as set out by the Ambulance Act, and related Provincial Legislation, will be permitted to staff each ambulance. Each Ambulance, when available for responses to emergency calls, shall be staffed at all times by two qualified Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) who are annually tested, certified and provided medical direction through the base hospital known as the Sunnybrook Centre for Pre-hospital Medicine.

Additional resources in a time of increased call volume or Multiple Causality Incidents (MCI) include our Superintendent First Response Unit and a joint Rama First Nation (RFN) Police-Fire-EMS Emergency Support Unit. Additional support and patient transportation is provided by the following surrounding Upper Tier Municipalities:

1.        County of Simcoe Paramedic Services
2.        Region of Durham Emergency Medical Service
3.        Muskoka Paramedic Services
4.        Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Services

The entire staff is committed to providing the highest quality of patient care. This is achieved by our in-house Continuous Quality Assurance and Improvement (CQAI) program that reviews and audits 100% of all calls. The in-house CQAI program, coupled with the Base Hospital programs and reviews, provide an excellent resource for staff to achieve a higher standard of care. Rama is committed to continuously monitoring the volume and demographics of calls in order to determine continuous improvement and advancement of skill sets.

We recognize that the provision of quality patient care is only possible through the strong relationships that exist with other agencies such as the Central Ambulance Communication Centre (Georgian CACC), Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Sunnybrook Centre for Pre-Hospital Medicine, Rama Police Service, Rama Fire and Rescue Service, in addition to outlying Fire Departments and the Ontario Provincial Police.  Finally, the relationship with the County of Simcoe and the other ambulance services bordering our catchment area strengthens our commitment to a higher quality of patient care.

Current Approved Level Of Service / Skill Set

Autonomous Peripheral Intravenous and Fluid Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

12-Lead Electrotherapy

Semi-Automatic External Defibrillation

Administration of:

• Oxygen Therapy
• Dimenhydramine
• Dimenhydrinate
• Glucagon
• Oral Glucose
• Nitroglycerin
• Epinephrine
• Salbutamol
• Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)
• Dextrose 50%
• Naloxone
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Ketorolac

Section 1.01    Approved Catchment Area

Rama Paramedic Services provides assistance for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and surrounding area. This covers a total population of approximately 10,500 people and generates approximately 1,200 calls annually.  The service works within the operating guidelines set out by the Ambulance Act and all other governing legislation.  Rama Paramedic Services is committed to providing seamless Land Ambulance Service to approved Rama Paramedic Services Coverage Area as supplied by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care – Emergency Health Services Branch (MOHLTC-EHSB).

Section 1.02    Staffing Levels and Shift Pattern

Rama Paramedic Services is a 24 hour 7 day a week, 365 days per year operation.  The Chief of Rama Paramedic Services will oversee the establishment a shift pattern and schedule.  With the assistance of the Management Team, the Chief will establish procedures to monitor the effectiveness of any pattern implemented.  The Duty Officer will ensure that adequate numbers of staff are available to service each Paramedic Response Unit (PRU)/ Ambulance and First Response Unit (FRU) as is determined to be necessary to provide the appropriate level of care and response time criteria within the catchment area. Additionally, a contact roster of the full-time and part-time staff, as well as an availability schedule, shall be regularly updated to provide the means to backfill staff on short notice or in advance to cover vacations, sick leave, short-term or unexpected absences of personnel.

Current Approved Staffing Levels

Full-Time Superintendents (working on trucks): 2

Full-Time Primary Care Paramedics (PCP): 6

Casual Primary Care Paramedic (PCP): 12

Section 1.03   Approved Facilities and Vehicle Staffing Levels:

Utilizing 1 ambulance coverage is scheduled as follows:

• Rama First Nation Base 00 – 1 PRU staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Rama Paramedic Services has approved use of one First Response Unit (FRU) for Special Event coverage and approved administrative duties. 

Current Approved Vehicle List:

Front-Line Paramedic Response Unit (PRU/ Ambulance): 1

Spare Paramedic Response Unit (PRU/ Ambulance): 1

First Response Unit (FRU/Administration): 1

Section 1.04  Service Reaction and Response to Scene Time:

Rama Paramedic Services will endeavour to respond to Code 4 (Emergency) requests for ambulance service with a reaction time of one (1) minute or less and a response time to scene as outlined in the Rama Paramedic Services Response Time Performance Plan in its current version. The Chief of Rama Paramedic Services shall be responsible for the regular review of Dispatch Data and Georgian CACC reports that are made available not only to ensure the standard is met, but also to take those steps necessary to improve upon response times, to the extent that it is possible. 

Paramedic Operations

Rama Paramedic Services is located adjacent to Rama Road and Williams Side Road (at back of Police building).

We are comprised of 17 Primary Care Paramedics with autonomous IV, 2 supervisors, and 1 Chief of Paramedic Services.

Our Ambulance is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Artwork on our ambulance is unique and was created in honour to and in representation of our community.