Counties Council is moving ahead with improvements to the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service. The decision to hire 8 full-time paramedics and increase ambulance coverage in North Grenville and Gananoque was put on hold following a provincial funding freeze.
Joint Services approved $1.6 million more for the service in 2019. The province and municipalities split the cost of paramedic services 50/50.
Paramedic Chief Chrid Lloyd says the improvements are necessary. He noted if the county doesn’t get the money from the government, there could be a shortfall of $585,399 this year.
Lloyd says the goal is to reduce response times and workload for paramedics.
He explained the plan is to staff every station in Leeds Grenville with a 24-hour and 12-hour ambulance, with the exception of Brockville, which will have two 24-hour ambulances and one 12-hour to meet demand.