Saturday, April 28, 2007

** Winnipeg, Manitoba’s EMS/fire amalgamation could be off

** Texas FBI agents raid Edinburg ambulance company

CANADA NEWS

** Rumours have begun to circulate in Winnipeg that the acrimonious amalgamation of fire and EMS services is now off. The Winnipeg Free Press (Bartley Kives/April 26) said the nattering started after Wednesday labour hearings on the subject were cancelled. The meetings were to have involved the City, both the fire and EMS unions, as well as the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Sources told the newspaper a tentative deal is now on the table that would see Fire and EMS remain under the overall umbrella of the Fire Paramedic Service. Both disciplines, however, would be managed separately. Although medics would be able to travel on engines, fire medics would not be permitted on ambulances. Whether or not cross training will still be pursued was not clear.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** FBI agents in Edinburg, Texas impounded eleven ambulances as evidence in a mystery investigation earlier this week. That is the word from News Channel 5 (April 26) which said the raid also included the removal of company files. The FBI and A Care Ambulance Service have declined comment on the matter.