Lanark County Council has received a new Ten-Year Paramedic Human Resources and Facilities Master Plan outlining how to prepare for growing emergency call volumes over the next decade.
Senior consultant Hannah Mayes-Frenett of Operational Research in Health (ORH) presented the findings, which show a 5.5 per cent annual increase in incidents from 2020 to 2024, with call times averaging just over an hour—mostly due to hospital delays.
The report projects daily calls could rise from 31 in 2024 to 49 by 2035, driven by population growth and an aging community. ORH recommends increasing vehicle hours, hiring additional paramedics, and relocating two ambulance bases to improve response times.
Staff also identified challenges including funding limits, staffing pressures, and outdated technology. Council has directed staff to bring the report’s recommendations to a future corporate services committee meeting for further discussion on how to strengthen emergency response across Lanark County.
