The number of calls for emergency services in Hastings-Quinte continues to be higher than last year.
At the Hastings-Quinte Emergency Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, Hastings-Quinte Paramedeic Services Chief Carl Bowker reported the total call volume, as of the end of July, remains consistently around 18% above this time last year.
“For example,” he said, “last week ambulances were dispatched for an individual who was hungry, and then to provide help for an individual getting into his apartment following a medical appointment. Sadly, the ambulance service is often the only available resource for these types of events.”
Bowker reports that continued staffing challenges are resulting in more shifts being offered to full-time staff at overtime.
He said that work on the structural drawings for the new Stirling base continues.
It is anticipated that there will be a final site plan review by mid-September.
The lease for Madoc Base is set to expire by the end of the year.
Bowker says, “We are currently engaging the township in renewal options with expectations for some leasehold improvements.
Renovations to aging bases in Quinte West and Belleville will also need to be considered as part of next year’s budget.”
Bowker indicates the service continues to recruit more time part-time paramedics in response to some of the staffing challenges.
He reports, “This will be our third intake of paramedics this year and we had a record low number of applicants. This is consistent with what services are experiencing across the province as demand outpaces supply.”
The paramedic service has successfully recruited a new Deputy Chief of Operations.
