DSSAB still awaiting word on ambulances

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board still is waiting for a decision from Queen’s Park regarding a new model for the purchase of ambulances and related equipment for municipalities across the province.
The former Conservative government had decided to close the Judson Street Ambulance Supply Centre in Toronto next month.
The Judson store currently is responsible for negotiating with ambulance manufacturers. The facility buys ambulances in large numbers, and as a result is able to get lower prices for them.
The store also acts as a storage facility for equipment, as well as monitors for quality and safety.
The closure would mean individual municipalities would have to negotiate directly with the ambulance manufacturers themselves.
A district with a small population like Rainy River only needs to buy a small number of vehicles at a time, meaning prices for the equipment would be considerably higher.
“This DSSAB has been very vocal in our opposition to the closure.
It will seriously affect our costs,” stressed CAO Donna Dittaro.
The local DSSAB arranged a teleconference Jan. 23 with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and with all the DSSABs in the province, to discuss alternatives for ambulance supply.
“The majority wanted the current model to stay in place,” noted Dittaro, adding the ministry was quite clear it would not consider keeping the Judson store open.
Instead, a proposal was put forth to “only phase out the warehouse and vehicle storage. All other business functions would continue,” Dittaro noted.
“Rather than have inventory and a storage depot, their role would be to monitor compliance [with ministry standards],” she said.
“The preference is that [the Judson facility] act as a clearinghouse.
The ministry would deal with several vendors to get the best price. It ensures all the purchases meet the standards,” she added.
“That concept seemed to receive a lot of support.”^The DSSAB still is waiting for a final decision from the ministry, but Dittaro said “it’s at the minister’s level right now,” and is hoping for an answer soon.
“We’re fairly optimistic,” she remarked.