New paramedic model aims to improve efficiency in Oakville, Milton, Burlington

A new way of providing ambulance service to Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills is likely on its way.

According to a report that will head to Regional Council next week, paramedic services will be moving to a new ‘hub and spoke’ model.

The transition is needed to meet increased demand due to population growth. It will involve the construction of a new headquarters (south hub), a north hub, and additional community stations in each local municipality.

The funding for the Paramedic Services facilities development will come from $15 million of favourable investment earnings and will be allocated as follows:

• Increase the budget for the Paramedic Services Headquarters by $10 million, raising it from $2.4 million to $12.4 million.
• Create a new capital project for the Paramedic Services North Hub with a budget of $4 million.
• Create a new capital project for Paramedic Services Land with a budget of $1 million.

Other key steps in the project include approval of properties in Oakville, Halton Hills, and Milton for new Paramedic Services facilities, and authorization for planning, design, and permit applications for these facilities.

The plan received the thumbs up from the region at September’s meeting.

The north hub will be located on regionally-owned lands adjacent to the new police station being built on Steeles Avenue, on the border of Milton and Halton Hills.

Construction of new smaller community-based stations (post stations) in each municipality will have smaller building footprint and utilize less land than the traditional two bay stations.