Acting chief of Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services John O’Donnell shows off the new decal design on local ambulances in June 2015. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Some great news today for first responders across the province.
The Ontario government has unanimously passed legislation which recognizes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a work-related illness for police, firefighters and paramedics.
Acting Hastings-Quinte EMS Chief, and 39-year veteran, John O’Donnell spoke to Quinte News and is pleased to see the government’s commitment.
Under the old rules, first responders had to prove their PTSD was related to their jobs, in order to be eligible for coverage.
O’Donnell says in Hastings-Quinte, they’ve been doing some extra PTSD training with provincial experts for several years and are now expanding that within the service.
And while the legislation passed today by a 96-to-0 vote, some MPPs are now calling for the new rules to be expanded to cover corrections workers, nurses, bailiffs and special constables as well.
