• Ottawa Paramedics... A tight knit team
  • Paramedicine... a calling
  • "What is your emergency?"
  • An Emergency Department on wheels
  • All Terrain Capability
  • Paramedic Support Unit
  • Canada's frontline healthcare providers
  • Complexity meets controlled chaos
  • Rapid treatment and extrication
  • Paramedic Response Unit
  • Advanced Life Support skills
  • Paramedic Marine Unit
  • Paramedic Communications Centre
  • In the air, in the streets, in your community
  • Ready to respond... Anytime. Anywhere.
  • Paramedic Tactical Unit
  • From 9-1-1 to wherever you need us most

Frequently Asked Questions

Who appointed the first Board of Directors?

The idea to restart a paramedic association in Ottawa had been tossed around since the City of Ottawa amalgamated in 2001. Multiple paramedic services throughout the former Region of Ottawa-Carelton and surrounding areas had been amalgamated into Ottawa Paramedic Service. It was advertised in the early versions of EMS Updates. The people who responded to these advertisements were invited to a "first meeting" and these people were then deemed the Interim Board of Directors until the Bylaws were drafted and the first election was held.

Will I get a chance to elect an Executive?

Yes, the Executive is comprised of Officers and Directors. Elections now occur every 4 years in line with federal, provincial and municipal terms. Full members may run for any position on the Executive.

Will the PPAO engage in labour bargaining?

No. It is not the intention of the PPAO to be involved in any labour issue. We will strictly deal with patient care and professional issues. Paramedics in Ottawa currently pay dues to CUPE503 and CIPP. It is this union who is responsible for all labour issues. The PPAO actually has a Restriction of Scope Bylaw preventing us from delving into any labour issues.

Why should I join?

Please refer to the benefits of being a member and keep in mind that politicians tend to choose the path of least resistance. We need to ensure that we do not provide them with that path. The paramedic association also allows paramedics to have an official consolidated voice and steer our profession.

Included with Membership

The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa includes the following with membership:

  • Ontario Paramedic Association
  • Paramedic Association of Canada
  • Canadian Paramedicine Magazine (online subscription)
  • Paramedic Legal Protection (Full Paramedic & Associate members with Legal Protection only)
Member-Only Benefits

Advance our profession together and receive the following benefits:

  • Paramedic Legal Protection (up to $500,000 for insured members only)
  • Medical Malpractice Insurance (discounted to $69/year for up to $10M coverage)
  • Government Relations (fully funded and only for paramedics)
  • Canadian Paramedicine Magazine (subscription included)
  • Home & Auto Insurance (up to 40% off)
  • OPA Licence Plate Rebates ($50 rebate)
  • Paramedic Perks & Deals (at businesses across Ontario)
  • Merchandise (discounts up to 50% off)
  • Special Event Support (free bling for public relations & community events)
  • Tax Deductions (for being a member of a Professional Association)
  • And Most Important, members own a piece of their profession which helps ensure 12,800 paramedics are able to advance together

Where will my annual membership dues go?

The PPAO dues are broken down into fractions where they pay PPAO, OPA, PAC, Paramedic Legal Protection and Canadian Paramedicine Magazine.

A full breakdown of dues for chapters and members across Ontario can be found on the OPA website under the chapters link.

What kind of charitable purposes do we support?

  1. The relief of poverty
  2. Education
  3. Scholarships
  4. Advancement of diversity and the combat of discrimination
  5. Awareness to improve Health & Welfare of residents
  6. Enhancement of underprivileged children and youth in amateur sports
  7. Public safety programs
  8. Supporting community service clubs and programs

Is the dues a lot of money to ask for an association?

Actually, compared to professional medical associations, the dues for paramedic associations are the lowest membership dues in the province.

The OPA and PAC have spent years building their public image and have both become widely recognized by politicians. All local politicians were initially informed that the PPAO is a spin-off of the old Ottawa-Carleton Paramedics Association which has a credible history here in Ottawa.

Here are some annual rates of other associations so you can compare (note most association rates include union dues - so please calculate accordingly):

  • $680 - CIPP
  • $890 - CUPE
  • $1223 - Ornge
  • $1997 - County of Renfrew Paramedics
  • $1315 - Ottawa Hospital RN
  • $1339 - Ottawa Fire
  • $3094 - Airport Fire
  • $1717 - Ottawa Police
  • $1274 - OPP

Is it possible for me to get involved?

Absolutely, an association can only be as strong as it's membership and everybody is encouraged to get involved. If each paramedic contributes 1 day per year, we can have incredible achievements.

How do I get involved?

The first step is to become a member. Once you are a member you can either become elected to the Board of Directors, join a committee, or attend meetings where you may express your views and vote on issues.

Can I still participate in projects if I'm not on the Board of Directors?

Of course, if you are a member you can spearhead or get involved in any project you wish as long as the Board of Directors has approved it as an official PPAO project. For a project to be approved, it must win a majority vote by the Board of Directors.

What if I am not a Paramedic, can I still join the PPAO?

Yes, anyone with special interest (Communications Officers, Equipment Supply Technicians, Equipment Controllers, Paramedic Students, support staff, etc) can join the PPAO as Associate Members.

The PPAO also has student members.

The fees to become a corporate member are listed here.

What if I'm already a member of the OPA?

Your OPA membership will need to be transferred to the PPAO which our Executive Admin can handle at your request. Once you have joined the PPAO, your local association will then be responsible for managing your membership.

What is the PPAO going to do for me?

Given it's convenient location in Canada's capital, the PPAO is going to be instrumental in supporting incredible initiatives that have already been put in motion by the OPA and PAC. The next few years will produce enormous rewards for paramedics. Here is a short list of some of our initiatives:

  • we will build a strong united voice in Ottawa that will finally allow us to represent professional Paramedic issues and patient-care concerns in front of the public and in the media
  • through extensive networking with the media and other groups, we will ensure community recognition of Ottawa Paramedics as professionals
  • we will make sure Ottawa Paramedics participate in critical issues that have the potential to affect the future of our profession
  • we will ensure effective representation of Ottawa Paramedics at the local, provincial and national level
  • we will represent the special interest of Ottawa Paramedics on local and provincial steering committees, Medical Advisory Groups, and Special Task Groups, etc.
  • we will work towards investigating the need for an Ontario College of Paramedics
  • we will work with other political and professional bodies for accreditation and reciprocity in Paramedicine
  • we will ensure Paramedics are included in special legislation (currently including police and fire) that will give us access to early retirement with full pension at age 55
  • we will support the Paramedic Benevolent Fund and the Tema Conter Memorial Trust Fund
  • we will publicly support local charities
  • we will network with Paramedics from different chapters in order to reach these very important common goals

What are some of the tangible benefits of membership?

  • automatic membership in the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) and Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC)
  • OPA certificate, wallet ID card, windshield sticker and information package
  • automatic enrolment in the Paramedic Benevolent Fund ($3000 to your spouse or Next of Kin and a $1000 scholarship for your children, if you are killed in the line of duty)
  • have access to a $300,000 bursary for spouses or next of kin in the event of a line-of-duty death
  • a free subscription to Canadian Emergency News Magazine which contains the OPA and PPAO Newsletters
  • a discount subscription to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services Magazine
  • discounts for continuing medical education, events, seminars, workshops, and conferences sponsored by the OPA
  • discounts for corporate services & purchases as well as the OPA MasterCard program

What are some of the intangible benefits of membership?

  • to have a strong united voice in Ottawa representing professional Paramedic issues
  • community recognition of Paramedics as professionals
  • an opportunity to participate in critical issues affecting the future of our profession
  • effective representation with a professional government relations firm
  • a medium through which to become the authors of our own fate
  • an association that will work toward establishing an education system which is equitable (i.e. one in which Paramedic education is available through academic institutions for all who wish to further their knowledge)
  • an association that will work with other political and professional bodies for accreditation and reciprocity in Paramedicine
  • access to continuing medical education
  • opportunity to become involved in injury & illness prevention activities as well as charities
  • opportunity to network with Paramedics from around the world through our website OttawaParamedics.ca (launched in the fall of 2003)
  • opportunity to represent Paramedics on steering committees, Medical Advisory Groups, Special Task Groups, etc.

 

 

Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa