Hastings Quinte Emergency Services continues to have challenges keeping its staffing numbers up.
A report to the Emergency Services Committee on Thursday indicated there were 24 down-staffed shifts and 12 that were partially down-staffed this summer.
Weekend and night coverage are the more problematic coverage periods.
The Prince Edward County enhancement on July 1 has shown some early positive results.
Response times at night for July and August in 2022 were 14 minutes and 4 seconds which has improved to 13 minutes and 7 seconds for the same time period in 2023.
Additionally, Hastings vehicles providing standby coverage in PEC at night decreased from 185 standbys to 54 standbys for July and August.
More enhancements began in Belleville this week as a further 44 hours of ambulance service were added per week.
This will also improve the peak coverage window by three hours with 14 ambulances operating between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The service continues to work with Loyalist College to maximize the number of student placements available and will once again look to hire additional part-time staff this fall.
