Death of Toronto senior shows EMS needs more paramedics

Nagging questions remain about the death of an 87-year-old Toronto woman suffering abdominal pains last December. But here’s what we know for sure: when an ambulance has been summoned, it shouldn’t take three hours to arrive. That’s what happened in her case.

Toronto Emergency Medical Services is now conducting a review of this matter, and the province is also looking into it. It’s not clear what caused the woman’s death, or whether her life could have been saved even if an ambulance had immediately appeared.

State of emergency

The question of Rob Ford’s mayoralty may be up in the air, but his impact continues to wreak havoc on the budget process.

Last week the Budget Committee proposed major cuts to Fire Services despite the fact that the department’s resources are substandard by industry benchmarks. Four local fire stations could wind up with one truck instead of two, and the Runnymede station might be abolished altogether.

Toronto EMS union protesting suspension of two paramedics who publicly criticized senior management

The union representing Toronto paramedics has filed a grievance on behalf of two employees who were suspended for publicly criticizing senior EMS management.

CUPE Local 416 filed its grievance with the city Thursday, a day after EMS brass suspended paramedics Ken Horton and Mike Merriman over recent unsanctioned comments to the media. Mr. Merriman was given a one-day unpaid suspension, while Mr. Horton — who was also written up for wearing his uniform off-duty during a city hall appearance and arriving at work “late” a handful of times, including on days he was not scheduled — was handed a three-day penalty.