A Grey County ambulance. (Bayshore Broadcasting file photo)
Grey County Paramedic Services is increasing the number of ambulances it has on active duty.
Director of Paramedic Services Kevin McNab says two ambulances have been added for an additional 12-hour paramedic services shift at both the Hanover and Owen Sound bases.
He says this is part of a 10-year deployment review, which was completed in 2022 in response to a sharp rise in the number of paramedic service calls in recent years.
“There was a prediction of a 5.8 per cent increase in call volume per year over the next 10 years, and extrapolated that out, it’s roughly a 68 per cent increase in the next 10 years. From that, we looked at a phased in approach of how we would match resources to meet that increase in demand,” says McNab. “Based upon the recommendations and working through our budget plan, for the next 10 years we plan to add six 12-hour ambulances and one weekend ambulance.”
The first two of these ambulances were put into duty at the end of July, bringing the peak number of ambulances on duty to 11 during the day and eight at night.
“We are also looking to maintain and improve upon our more rural response times. Next year, with budget approval, we are planning for a 12-hour ambulance in Feversham. Over the next number of years we will be building a base in Ayton and the 12-hour car from Hanover will move out to Ayton,” says McNab.
He adds looking to 2027 and 2028, they plan to staff a new base in Thornbury and Cobble Beach.
“With a 68 per cent increase in demand for resources, we determined we would need about a 40 per cent increase in resources to meet that demand,” says McNab. “I am really looking forward for us to be able to maintain and improve upon response times focused across the county and looking at our more rural regions as well, not only adding staffing but adding new bases to meet the needs of the county.”
