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

UPDATE: Paramedic Chief Carl Bowker clarified some statistics released by the organization’s union, CUPE Local 1842, at a Hastings County emergency services meeting.

The union stated calls for ambulance service had increased by 37 per cent in Belleville and 42-per cent in Prince Edward County.

In response, Bowker confirmed the calls in Belleville went up, but over a five-year period, not in one year. He suggested the 42-per cent increase in Prince Edward County might be over the life of service, stating the County has seen an increase of about 22-per cent in actual call volume over the last 10 years.

Chief Bowker also stated the number of emergency calls has decreased by 25-per cent since the introduction of the medical priority distract system.

So far this year, the call volume is little changed from the same period last year while the number of ambulances year-to-date has increased by one 24/7 vehicle.

He added that while the service still deals with shifts that are under-staffed, recruitment in the past year has been the best it’s been in five years.

In his director’s report he notes recruitment efforts attracted 10 new full-time employees and 10 new part-time employees, bringing the full-time complement to 136 and 47 part-time paramedics. He estimates needing to recruit an additional 40 more paramedics over the next year.

MAY 5: 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.