Union urges support as ambulance shortages reach ‘dangerous tipping point’

CUPE Local 1842 paramedics working in Hastings and Quinte are calling on the community for urgent support as ambulance shortages reach a dangerous tipping point – operating without enough staff during a time of increasing calls.

“To have zero ambulances available in this large of a county, in any capacity, it’s worrisome,” said Ryen a primary care paramedic featured in a video released by the union on the weekend. “But in this large of a county, it’s devastating — it’s devastating.”

According to the union, from May 2-4, “Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services operated with a combined total of six full ambulances and one half ambulance short due to staffing shortages. That’s numerous emergencies — at any given point — that may go unanswered. Saturday alone, we were down staffed three full ambulances.”

“Paramedics are facing Code Zero situations multiple times a month, where there are no ambulances available to respond to 9-1-1 calls. These dangerous gaps are happening while emergency call volumes continue to rise.”

The message states calls are up by 37 per cent in Belleville and 42 per cent in Prince Edward County.

“Yet, despite this dramatic increase, we remain dangerously behind in staffing. Hastings-Quinte is now the second busiest paramedic service in southeastern Ontario — but we are also the second lowest paid. There is no incentive for new paramedics to choose this region. We are not competitive with neighbouring services when it comes to wages, benefits, or mental health supports. The result? We can’t recruit. We can’t retain. And we can’t grow.”

The call is for more ambulances on the road and qualified paramedics to staff them.

“It’s not just the system that’s under strain — our people are breaking too.

“Trauma, emotional fatigue, and moral distress is taking a devastating toll on paramedic mental health. But the support isn’t there. Full-time medics get just $500 a year for psychological support. Part-time medics — many of whom work full-time hours — get nothing.”

Meanwhile, the County of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services social media shared a post from the County of Hastings socials, pointing to May 1 as National First Responder Day, and stating it is “proud to welcome 20 new paramedics to the frontlines”.

The paramedics are calling on the community to write their MPP and municipal councils for more investment in staff, wages and mental health support.