- The Public Services Health & Safety Association offers a 1-day training course for emergency service workers who wish to become the Designated Officer within their organization.
- Ontario Hazardous Material Responders Association (OHMRA) - Provides support through website and WhatsApp chat groups.
- Ontario Association of Designated Officers (2017). Designated Officers Manual for Infection Prevention: Reducing the Risk for Front-line Staff.
Designated Officer Program (Emergency Service Workers)
Designated Officer Program
Emergency Service Workers (ESW) are at an increased risk of exposure to Infectious Diseases. The Designated Officer, who is assigned by their employer for their respective emergency service (i.e. police, firefighters, ambulance), acts as the ESW representative and a liaison with Public Health when investigating possible exposures of ESW’s to a Disease of Public Health Significance (DOPHS). Each organization is required to have 24-hour access to a Designated Officer to respond to and investigate all reports of exposures to DOPHS.
Occupational exposures should be reported right away to your employer. If you are an ESW, report exposures to your Designated Officer who will help assess the exposure and support the follow-up process.
For more information on the program visit here: Public Services Health & Safety Association | Designated Officer Program Review
The risk of exposure for ESWs can be reduced with the implementation of proper health and safety programs designed to protect workers from Infectious Diseases. The role of the Designated Officer in such programs is essential.
Designated Officer Training and Resources
Updating Designated Officer Contact Information
Huron Perth Public Health is required to keep an updated list of Designated Officers and 24/7 contact numbers for local ESW organizations.
It is important to notify us of any changes to this information. Please send an updated Huron Perth Emergency Services and Designated Officer(s)Contact Information form through email to idteam@hpph.ca or fax at 519-271-2195 to update the information.
Mandatory Blood Testing Act (MBTA)
The Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006, allows an eligible individual (“applicant”) to apply to have the blood of another person (“respondent”) tested for specific Infectious Diseases if they have come into contact with their bodily fluids.
The Act covers the following Infectious Diseases only:
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
Review the eligibility requirements for applicants. When applying, the Applicant Report and Physician Report forms must be completed and submitted to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in the Respondent’s local public health unit no more than 30 calendar days after the exposure.
For more information on the MBTA and to access the forms please visit Mandatory Blood Testing Act, Ontario.
Contact Us
Huron Perth Public Health
Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0
Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca