KAWARTHA LAKES-The Chief of Peterborough County-City Paramedics will assume a dual leadership role as Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Chief after both councils agreed to execute a Chief Shared Service agreement.
Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County Councils recently received presentations in their closed sessions by their Paramedic Services Review Team which consists of senior staff and the Chiefs of both Paramedic services according to the City. Officials say the team has collaborated on a Review to understand how the two services could work together for greater efficiencies in line with the Provincial mandate to look at synergies of operations. It was also prompted by the forthcoming retirement of the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Chief.
Kawartha Lakes is currently undertaking a paramedic service 10-year resource and facilities master plan and have chosen to enter into a shared service agreement with Peterborough County. This agreement will see Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics take on a dual leadership role within both services while further review and the master plan is completed.
“Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County-City Paramedic Services have enjoyed a long history of collaboration that has positioned our teams well to examine and establish strategies of efficiency and modernization to meet the evolving role of paramedicine in Ontario. I’m very pleased to have an opportunity to serve in a coordinating role with two incredibly talented Paramedic Service Leadership Teams under the direction of visionary municipal leadership as we seek opportunities to meet the specific needs of the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes areas,” commented Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics.
Randy Mellow has 34 years of paramedic service experience and has served as Chief of Paramedics since 2014. Prior to the current role, he served as Deputy Chief in Peterborough and was the Chief of Essex-Windsor EMS. Chief Mellow is also the current President of the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, an association supporting and providing advocacy for paramedic service leadership in all of Canada’s Provinces and Territories.
Andrew Rafton, Chief, Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service is set to retire this November after 35 years of service. “It’s encouraging to see the direction our municipality is taking in advancing our service and profession. We’re currently facing unprecedented challenges that will require bold and innovative solutions. Having worked alongside Chief Mellow for many years, I’m pleased to be passing the torch to him and I’m confident that the interests of our paramedic staff and our community will be well served under his leadership.”
Earlier this year, the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus (EOWC) commissioned a report to review structure and opportunities for Paramedic Services in Eastern Ontario. The report emphasized current collaborative efforts between municipalities resulting in efficient operations.
It’s unclear how much this will save the City.
Both Councils have directed the Review Team to explore a detailed analysis of additional opportunities including shared efficiencies of purchasing, human resources, facilities and specialized fleet such as a bariatric transport ambulance. Pending the review, a recommendation for any additional shared service agreements will be brought forward to the Councils in 2021.
