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During the course of their duties, there is the potential for emergency service workers (e.g. firefighter, police officer, paramedic, nurse, physician) to be exposed to infectious diseases through contact with a victim’s bodily fluids (e.g. blood, saliva).
A new provincial protocol released in January of 2009 requires communication between public health units and emergency service organizations if a worker is exposed.
To help in the flow of communication, each emergency service organization must identify a person to serve in the role of designated officer (DO). The DO gets reports from public health regarding possible exposures. The DO also reviews reports from workers if they are worried that an exposure has taken place and contacts the medical officer of health for the health unit in which the exposure has taken place.
The DO is aware of how infectious diseases are transmitted and is trained to provide counselling, guidance and support to exposed workers. |
Click on one of the links below to learn more about the designated officer.
How does the Health Unit support the designated officer in the course of their duties?
The Health Unit provides training for those who serve in the role of designated officer. In addition, Health Unit staff provide the following:
- Assist the designated officer in determining the significance of exposures.
- Follow up with emergency service workers who have been exposed.
- Provide recommendations, resources and information as required.
- Comply with all existing regulations in the protection of personal information and ensure that confidentiality is respected.
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Are emergency service workers eligible to make an application under the Mandatory Blood Testing Act?
Yes, a person is eligible to make an application if they are exposed in the course of their duties and they belong to an identified group of individuals, including:
- Correctional institution employees, place of open custody or place of secure custody
- Police officers, civilian employees of a police service, First Nations constables and auxiliary members of a police service
- Firefighters (including volunteer firefighters)
- Paramedics and emergency medical attendants
- Members of the College of Nurses of Ontario
- Paramedic students engaged in field training
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Where can I find a copy of the new Ontario protocol?
A copy of the new protocol, Exposure of Emergency Service Workers to Infectious Diseases Protocol, is available by clicking here.
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