Paramedics Pleased With Support

Update: 6pm

Paramedics are pleased with how the first day of gathering signatures went for a provincial petition in Vernon.

Local spokesman and paramedic Dean Perry says they seeking support to make ambulance workers an essential service like police and firefighters.

“The signing went extremely well, with real good support from the community. There was around 300 signatures during the time they were there,” Perry tells Kiss FM

Perry says they will be back outside the Vernon Square Safeway Friday and Saturday, and perhaps go door to door.

“There will probably be canvassers in your neighborhood.”

The initiative needs 10 per cent of registered voters to sign in each of BC’s 85 electoral districts by April 9.

“Everybody that I’ve spoken to are just shocked that the ambulance paramedics in BC aren’t classed as an essential service,” adds Perry.

6 am story

Paramedics will be outside the Vernon Square Safeway today — but not for an emergency.

Local paramedic and organizer Dean Perry says they’ll be gathering signatures for the petition to make ambulance workers an essential service.

“It would put us into the same bargaining unit as police and fire, and get us out of the facilities bargaining unit.”

The initiative needs support from 10 per cent of registered voters in each of BC’s 85 electoral districts by April 9.

The signature session will be from 10 to 2 pm today.

Photo: Dean Perry