Jamie Ballem, Acting Minister of Health today announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been reached with Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC) to move forward on the next steps to develop a ground ambulance service on PEI.
“This is another step in the process of contract negotiations,” says Minister Ballem.
“A more detailed contract will be finalized over the coming month in preparation for an April 1st start-up date for a singular ground ambulance service on PEI.”
With the MOU, government has now entered into the first legal agreement with Emergency Medical Care. The Memorandum of Understanding allows EMC to begin negotiating asset acquisition from the existing ambulance operators.
Further contract negotiations are still underway, so not all the details are finalized; however, EMC has been granted the authority to commence activities to establish the new PEI ground ambulance service. This also means that EMC is in the position to begin the hiring process associated with this service.
Minister Ballen noted that, “EMC will incorporate as a PEI company, ‘Island EMS.’ The company is offering top-notch planning detail in the areas of organizational management, ambulance fleet management, fleet utilization, and a well-detailed training expansion program.”
“The first hurdle in the process has been crossed,” added Minister Ballem. “The PEI government is confident that Island EMS will provide a high-quality ambulance service which will meet the needs of Islanders. We are also pleased to see the support of local paramedics as we move forward with Island EMS.”