Since 2013, Muskoka Parmedics Services (MPS) has met or exceeded all of the provincially mandated time targets, and 2024 was no exception.
During a recent meeting of the District of Muskoka Health Services Committee, Stuart McKinnon, Acting Chief of Paramedic Services and Emergency Management, reported that all response time targets were achieved in the past year.
Response times for MPS are tracked from the moment the Muskoka Central Ambulance Communications Centre alerts paramedics of an emergency call to the time they arrive at the scene. In Ontario, ambulance communication centres have defined legislated requirements to rapidly handle emergency calls, mandating ambulance dispatches within two minutes for the highest priority situations, such as cardiac arrests.
District Chair Jeff Lehman also inquired about the effectiveness of the new Paramedic Response Unit (PRU) program based in MacTier. A PRU is a specialized emergency response vehicle staffed by a paramedic, though it is not equipped for patient transportation. Since the PRU was only established in December 2024, McKinnon noted that there is currently limited data available; however, early indications suggest that response times in that area of the district have nearly been halved.
Lehman praised MPS for their exemplary service in light of the significant call volume and the geographical challenges posed by serving such a vast area.
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Great job paramedics! Always caring and knowledgeable. Thank you