The wear the epaulettes that say "Paramedic". So that's what they are. Whether they drive a County of Simcoe ambulance or a private one, they are all trained the same, the qualifications are the same to wear those. And like Dave says if they weren't there we could not race. If you are not comfortable with their services it is YOUR choice not to race...

Just because they wear the name "paramedic" on their shoulder, does not mean that they are one.

Staff that work for "private" (transfer) services in Ontario do not have to hold government certification to do the job. Even if they are certified by the province, they are still limited in what they can do patient care wise. They may administer a bit of oxygen, put on a splint, stop a bleeder and immobilize you on a back board and that is it. If they are doing any more than that, they are breaking the law.  A "Simcoe County" paramedic, may be able to start an IV on you, give you medications, and even intubate you if you are trapped in your car unconscious and unable to breathe. They can also leave the track immediately and not have to wait for another Ambulance to transport you.  They can also call for the Air Ambulance right away, again decreasing any delays.

I know if I was trapped in my car and unconscious after being struck broad-side at the end of the front or back stretch at any track, I would much rather a County/Regional Ambulance on-site.

Cayuga now uses Haldimond County for all their events...why?...decrease in the cost of insurance premiums and direct transport to the Hospital, no waiting.

Just my two-cents.

Medic, I do understand the difference between BLS and ALS. I work in the business too. Is it not true that if you are wearing epaulettes that say "Paramedic" you are trained to the minimum standard of EMCA-D? If not then that is absolutely wrong in my opinion. In the case of Air Ambulance request I agree, a County or Provincial ambulance would get one faster, but at the same time you have a response time that you would have to wait for in the case of a private vehicle accident, unless the County was the contracted service provider. The same for rescue extrication... You would have to wait unless there was a contract with the municipality. You are not going to have vehicles on standby in the case of a Motor Vehicle Collision on the highway near your home. There is a best case situation but I believe that a private ambulance staffed with BLS Paramedics is as good as we might be able to get, and that's pretty good compared to some tracks I have been to...

Private (transfer) service providers can have their staff wear any crest they want as they fall under the ministry of transportation and not the ministry of health, and while we may think that because they have paramedic on their shoulder they are one, that may not be case.  Remember, they are a "transfer" company, some of the staff may have a) not taken their EMCA exam,  b)  have failed it or c) can't pass the new centralized testing and get a job.

There are transfer companies that hire first year students and they have paramedic apaulettes on their uniforms and their vehicles.

The wait time for an air ambulance may be the same with the County service being on scene but, it may be arriving as the driver is being extricated and the air medics can take over.

While I know there is a large cost factor involved in having County/Regional ambulances at a race, I feel the benefits of this far outway the possible concequences.

I may not be a driver or crew member but, if I was, I would want the best available to be at my track just in case.

Team##??    The ambulance is there for your safety . There are trained people on board that will give you immediate attention . I don't feel you have any reason to question their ability to perform when they arrive on a crash scene . Be glad that tracks are required to have this service ready for all drivers .  I was there at the scene and they did a very good job . Injured people need to be moved gently . After an impact like that one , I'm sure it took a bit to figure out the extent of the drivers injuries .