Paramedics call for Ebola protocol training, information

The union representing P.E.I. paramedics is concerned its members aren't being kept informed of Ebola virus health protocols.

The most important thing is to mitigate the risk and to prepare for it by first educating our members, the paramedics.- Jason Woodbury, CUPE

Jason Woodbury, president of CUPE local 3324, said he was surprised to learn through a CBC News report Thursday that patients suspected of carrying Ebola will be quarantined and then transported to the IWK Health Centre or the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.

The union received a 56-page document Wednesday outlining a strategic plan for Ebola, but it was missing some key information, said Woodbury.

Island health officials say nurses are being trained this week on how to properly wear protective gear and handle a patient showing Ebola symptoms.

• Although Ebola risk 'very low,' P.E.I. health officials preparing

Woodbury said paramedics need to be trained as quickly as possible as well.

"Equipment is on order. However we haven't had training on it," said Woodbury.

"I think particularly, the most important thing is to mitigate the risk and to prepare for it by first educating our members, the paramedics, on the pre-screening tool, a lot like what the hospital is doing. And also educating our 911 dispatchers to start pre-screening right at the early stages."

Island EMS general manager Matthew Crossman said the company has been working very hard behind the scenes for a number of days on how to prepare for an Ebola case.

"We have ordered all the potential equipment to facilitate a transport from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia, so we are just waiting for that equipment to arrive," said Crossman.

"We sent out some pre-information to some of our staff to make them aware of what type of things should be followed procedures, things like that. But we are actually building a more comprehensive package which we will be delivering to staff."

The equipment should arrive any day, says Crossman.

Paramedics will be trained on how to use that equipment and on pre-screening policies, says Crossman.

For moble device users: Are you confident P.E.I. is properly prepared for a case of Ebola?