Cornwall-SDG EMS rolling into South Glengarry

Cornwall-SDG EMS rolling into South Glengarry
Pictured from left

CORNWALL, Ontario – Knowing every minute is precious in emergency situations, first responders are hoping to arrive on scene earlier, thanks to the new paramedic response units in Lancaster and Long Sault.

Cornwall-SDG Emergency Medical Services added the pair of SUVs (bringing the total to three) to rush emergency responders to very sick patients as they wait to be taken to the hospital.

The PRUs, combined with existing paramedic resources on the road, are scheduled to roll out on Sunday and will run during the day for 12-hour shifts. Four new paramedics have also been hired to help with the enhanced coverage.

“By reducing the need for resources to respond from the city to the county, and vice versa, our resources will be better positioned throughout the day to arrive at an emergency in less time,” said Myles Cassidy, general manager, shared services and EMS chief.

The service enhancement stems from a consultant’s review of EMS response times in Cornwall and SDG that began in the fall of 2013, which identified options to maximize existing resources, including shift times, deployment posts, staffing and resource configurations.

“Cornwall-SDG EMS has a proud record of service and this enhancement will serve to build on our solid track record,” said Cassidy.

The enhanced emergency coverage will cost taxpayers $477,567, with the provincial government covering half of the amount. The remaining amount would be split between the City of Cornwall (21 per cent or $100,289) and the United Counties (28 per cent or $138,494), based on the existing sharing agreement.

“This is a tangible example of excellent inter-municipal cooperation between partners,” said SDG County Warden Eric Duncan. “We are committed to ensuring all residents have the best possible access to EMS resources.”

Cornwall-SDG EMS provides 24-hour 365-day coverage to the over 111,000 residents and visitors to the community. It also employs a total of 95 paramedics and six administration staff.

An integral component of the regional 911 system, paramedics respond to victims of sudden illness or injury. Highly trained and skilled in the pre-hospital management of a wide spectrum of emergencies, paramedics attempt to stabilize and render treatment to patients at the scene and on route to medical facilities.

In 2014, the service responded to just under 13,000 calls for service.

As the regional designated delivery agent for Land Ambulance Service, the City of Cornwall maintains six ambulance stations throughout the United Counties of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry.

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