Emergency Medical Services
Operations and Special Programs

Staffing

Approximately 477 paramedics and support staff provide Emergency Medical Service to York Region.

York Region EMS utilizes an Operations Management team of 15 Operations Supervisors and 4 Senior Managers to provide leadership in clinical excellence.

Paramedic Response Stations

York Region EMS currently deploys up to 37 ambulances and 9 Paramedic Rapid Response Vehicles from 20 Paramedic Response Stations strategically located throughout York Region.

All stations are equipped with patient care supplies to make sure they are ready to respond and provide a degree of self-sufficiency in the event of a supply interruption. York Region is currently reviewing deployment options to rationalize station locations and to plan for future growth.

York Region EMS will continue to evaluate and revise deployment options to ensure a performance-based EMS system.

Fleet

York Region EMS operates a fleet consisting of 47 Ambulances, 12 Paramedic and Supervisor Rapid Response Vehicles, 3 Supply Vehicles, 8 Administrative Vehicles, 3 Education and Training Vehicles, and 4 Emergency Support Vehicle. (This number includes spare vehicles to cover breakdowns and scheduled preventative maintenance)

The Emergency Support Unit (ESU) and accompanying trailer is a specially equipped vehicle that is mobilized in the event of a major incident. The vehicle and trailer contain a variety of patient care equipment and supplies to effectively respond to a large scale or multi-casualty incident. The ESU is also equipped with a generator and lights to illuminate night-time emergency scenes.

York Region EMS utilizes a Preventative Maintenance Program to make sure that the fleet is mechanically safe and ready to respond. This also helps in the prevention of costly unscheduled repairs, reduces vehicle downtime and maintains fuel economy.

Equipment

York Region EMS uses an automated system for the distribution, management, and control of medications and supplies to the "Paramedics' operational needs".

Pyxis Stations ™, located in 4 Paramedic Response Stations, provide easy, secure access to supplies and equipment on a 24-hour basis. This system tracks inventory usage by vehicle and station. Support staff restock the Pyxis Station™ from refill reports based on supplies used, to ensure ample supplies are readily available.

To supplement this system, all 20 York Region EMS Paramedic Response Stations are inventoried twice weekly. Necessary supplies and equipment are delivered from a central storage facility. General delivery and maintenance staff use supply vehicles to deliver equipment, patient care supplies and linen, and also pick up equipment from hospitals. They carry tools and supplies to complete minor repairs to vehicles and stations. Other responsibilities include oxygen and suction equipment testing, and preventative maintenance of stretchers and patient transport equipment. All supplies and equipment, from station cleaning supplies to defibrillator accessories, are processed through this support function.

Rapid Response Units (RRUs)

The 'Rapid Response Unit' was introduced to York Region in the fall of 2002. This initiative was established to enhance the regional deployment of Paramedics and to reduce response time. The Rapid Response Unit is primarily staffed by Primary Care Paramedics.

York Region EMS currently deploys 9 RRUs during peak demand periods.

The RRUs are Sport Utility Vehicles staffed by paramedics. They are "self-dispatched" to emergency requests for service, and are available for operational utilization based on need.

The RRU program enhances the efficiency of out of hospital care and provides York Region EMS with contingency response options to maximize customer service delivery.

Bike Unit

Launched early in the summer of 2002, the York Region EMS Bike Unit is mostly used during special events throughout the Region. Working in teams, consisting of one Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and one Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP), the unit can provide quick response through congested or remote areas to assess and treat any medical emergency sooner than a traditional EMS vehicle. The Bike Unit routinely attracts significant attention from the public and media. These highly visible paramedics are seen as positive role models and help promote safe bicycle riding and injury prevention. Currently, 12 paramedics maintain the Bike Unit's 5 fully-equipped bikes. All 12 staff were given special training and had to meet extra fitness requirements.

Special Response Unit (SRU)

Working under the direction of the Operations Division, the Special Response Unit (SRU) provides a truly unique service within York Region EMS.

Launched in May of 2008, SRU Paramedics provide emergency medical support to frontline ambulances during Multi-Casual Incidents (MCIs) and support police in high-risk and tactical incidents. SRU Paramedics work closely with police Search and Rescue, Public Order and Emergency Response teams. Initial training is conducted with York Regional Police and York Region EMS, and covers various skill sets such as tactical medicine, police operations, scene management and team dynamics.

Incidents unique to the Special Operations Unit include, but are not limited to:

• Barricaded Suspects
• Hostage Situation
• MCIs
• Bariatric Operations and Solutions
• High Risk Warrant Execution
• Explosive Disposal Unit Operations
• Active Fires
• Hazmat Incidents
• Evacuations
• CBRNE Incidents (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear and Explosive)
• Police K-9 Operations

Protective gear, unique uniforms, and specialized vehicles and equipment help the SRU Paramedics perform their duties.

Heart Alive - PAD Program

Heart Alive is an internal regional Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program led by York Region EMS Paramedics. The goal of Heart Alive is to give participants the knowledge, confidence, and skills to be able to respond to an emergency situation.

Two components of The Heart Alive Program are the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Regional facilities, and the training of staff as Heart Alive Targeted Responders. An AED is a portable, easy-to-use device that provides verbal and visual prompts for providing CPR and defibrillation. Defibrillation can help re-establish a normal heart rhythm to someone that has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Staff training includes certification in standard first aid and CPR/AED. To attend a Heart Alive course, participants must be a York Region employee.

Community and Clinical Programs

Community and Clinical Programs provides a wide variety of services aimed at maintaining contact with the public, nurturing partnerships with allied agencies, and participating in clinically relevant initiatives that significantly enhance the role the Region's paramedics have as health care providers.

The Community and Clinical Programs Unit manages all community events, provides public education and awareness, distributes promotional items and develops supporting tools for initiatives.

York Region EMS understands that medicine is very dynamic and has proudly partnered with the Region's hospitals and the University of Toronto to participate in various field clinical trials, initiatives, and new practices. For example, advanced protocols for rapid intervention have provided York Region paramedics with the ability to identify heart attack patients and to transport directly to the Regional Cardiac Catheterization Centre. York EMS also has a Stroke bypass (transportation to the Regional Stroke Centre) and a Renal bypass (Transportation to the Regional Renal Dialysis Centre) directive in place so that patients who meet certain criteria can receive the best possible in-hospital care.