Superior North EMS Headquarters, 2017. (Staff photo)
Officials are asking for area residents to help to alleviate the pressures on those that work for Superior North Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Chief Wayne Gates and Unifor spokesperson Rob Moquin spoke Wednesday and stressed that service standards continue to be met for urgent calls. Non-urgent calls may experience longer than usual wait times for response.
“I want to assure residents that our paramedics are working very hard and are ready and available to respond when you need them,” Gates said. “To help reduce non-emergency pressure on the system, we are asking residents to only call 911 if you are experiencing an urgent medical emergency.”
Moquin noted that the call volume is ever-increasing and some crews are working at a 100 per cent utilization rate.
“What that means is that a crew is on their feet and on the move doing ambulance work for 80 to 90 per cent of their shift,” said Moquin. “We have also had several cases where crews have gone beyond the 100 per cent utilization. That’s the result of crews booking on early before their shift even starts and staying late to ensure there is adequate coverage within the city.”
Moquin mentioned there are also frequent Code Black scenarios, which means there are no available ambulances to go to an emergency should they be called.
One of these options are available if a situation is not an emergency:
- Primary health care providers
- 2-1-1
- Walk-in clinics
- Local pharmacy
- Ontario Health 1 (866) 797-0000
