Friday, November 13, 2009

** Tentative deal for Newfoundland ambulance operators;details sketchy

** Chicago 911 official resigns amidst document scandal

CANADA NEWS

** Private ambulance operators in Newfoundland have secured a four year contract with the province. That is the word from the Telegram (November 12) which said the deal comes one week after operators walked off the job in protest of the unresolved agreement. According to the newspaper, the settlement pertains to 22 community based operators in Newfoundland and Labrador. Specific details of the deal are not yet available. Operators have been without a contract for two years.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Chicago, Illinois 911 official has resigned his post after allegedly being caught falsifying documents that would speed the purchase of Motorola dispatch technology. The Chicago Sun Times (Fran Spielman/November 10) said Office of Emergency Management and Communications acting executive director Jim Argiropolous made the move after a September inspector general’s report recommended his termination. According to the news site, the 2005 document fiddling has already cost the city $2.25 million for as yet non-existent equipment. Working in 911 since he was 15 years old, Argiropolous is also a former Kentucky paramedic (Government Technology/November 12).