Wednesday, March 30, 2011

** Chicago residents says coyotes disturbing them howling at ambulance sirens

** Saskatoon ambulance shortages growing?

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Residents of a Chicago neighbourhood bordering the Swedish Covenant Hospital are getting a double headache, first from ambulance sirens and then from coyotes howling at them. That is the word from the Chicago Tribune (AP/March 29) which said the critters, unheard of in the area by the end of the 19th Century, have recently returned. According to the newspaper, Alderman Patrick O’Connor has acknowledged their presence, admitting on his website each time EMS sirens sound, a chorus of howling follows. Despite the nuisance, however, residents will likely continue to be plagued, since the city does not trap or disable the animals.

CANADA NEWS

** Ambulance shortages in Saskatoon are apparently becoming problematic, with the EMS union claiming the issue is becoming a slippery slope. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix (Hannah Scissons/March 29) quoted Saskatoon Ambulance Employees Association president Scott Ingraham as saying at least 40 minutes each day pass with no prehospital units available for call. Amounting to some 11 days annually, the figure is prompting pundits to push the government to implement 19 improvement recommendations from a 2009 EMS review. Acknowledging Ingraham’s concern, MD Ambulance CEO and president Dave Dutchak said call volumes have increased with the city’s size, taxing existing prehospital resources. Because of this, Dutchak said he is working with both the health region and the provincial government to resolve matters. MD Ambulance employees, who remain in negotiations, have been without a contract for over 18 months.