What is the Designated Officer Program?
All emergency service workers (ESW) including ambulance, fire, and police, are required to have a Designated Officer(s) assigned by their employer who are trained to:
- Receive and assess reports regarding possible exposure of an Emergency Service Worker (ESW) to a Disease of Public Health Significance
- Liaise with their local public health unit
Each organization is required to ensure that their Designated Officer is available to their staff 24/7 to respond to and investigate all reported exposures to Diseases of Public Health Significance.
If you are an ESW, immediately report potential exposures to your Designated Officer who will help assess the exposure and support the follow-up process. The Designated Officer will consult with their local public health unit, as appropriate, based on their risk assessment. For Lambton County, Lambton Public Health can be reached by the Designated Officer at: 519-383-8331 or 1-800-667-1839.
For more information on the program visit: Public Services Health & Safety Association | Designated Officer Program Review .
The risk of exposure for ESWs can be reduced with the implementation of health and safety programs designed to protect workers from infectious diseases.
Designated Officer Training
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.
Updating Designated Officer Contact Information
- Lambton Public Health is required to keep an updated list of Designated Officers and 24/7 contact numbers for local ESW agencies.
- It is important to notify Lambton Public Health of any changes to Designated Officers’ contact information. Please submit an updated Lambton Emergency Services and Designated Officer(s) Contact Information form, found below.
Lambton County Emergency Service Workers (ESW) and Designated Officer(s) Contact Information Form
Lambton Public Health is required to keep an updated contact list of Designated Officers and 24/7 contact numbers for local Emergency Service Workers (ESW) agencies. This information is important for when the local public health unit conducts follow-up for potential ESW exposures to Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS).