When to call 911
York Region paramedics are always prepared for emergencies. They provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help sick and injured people in York Region. In an emergency, paramedics provide medical treatment on scene and then transport patients to the most appropriate hospital destination if required.
When do I call 911?
Call 9-1-1 in a medical emergency.
Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to):
✓ Chest pain or tightness
✓ Sudden severe pain
✓ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
✓ Choking
✓ Possible broken bones
✓ Uncontrollable bleeding
✓ Sudden dizziness or vision problems
✓ Sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg
✓ Sudden difficulty speaking
✓ A child with diarrhea and vomiting who won’t eat or drink
✓ A baby under six months with a fever over 38.5°C (101°F)
How can I help while waiting for paramedics?
While waiting for the paramedics try to:
- Clear a path to the patient
- Unlock doors
- Turn on outside lights
- Secure pets
- Clear cars from your driveway
- Get patient’s medication (if applicable)
- Try to have someone wait out front
Do not move the patient unless their life is threatened.
For non-emergencies, there are many other healthcare options for York Region residents.
Responding to an Emergency
York Region Paramedics respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To help keep paramedics safe, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn as a precaution to stop viruses, such as COVID-19, from spreading from person to person.
Effective February 2021, paramedics will wear a new type of PPE to all 911 calls. The PAPR (powered air purifying respirator) provides 150% better protection for paramedics, eases PPE supply issues and helps improve communication with patients. It’s sustainable, environmentally friendly and reduces the amount of disposable PPE. Check out this video to learn more.
Help paramedics respond to your 911 call by disclosing your full list of symptoms, including COVID-19 symptoms. Remember to sanitize your hands and put on a mask or face covering before paramedics arrive. For more information on how you can help stop the spread of COVID19, visit york.ca/COVID-19
Get a Kit. Save a Life.
Public Health has partnered with York Region Paramedic Services to distribute naloxone kits during 911 response calls and through community paramedicine outreach. Paramedics now attending an opioid overdose call can provide patients and their family/friends with opioid overdose prevention and response education, naloxone kits and training on how to use them. Each ambulance will be equipped with two kits at all times and paramedics have been trained on four steps to distribution: identify a need, confirm capacity, educate recipient and document.
As the rate of opioid-related deaths across Canada has continued to rise over the last decade, Public Health Ontario is now reporting a rising trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership with Paramedic Services is an important step in strengthening the harm reduction efforts of York Region Public Health and supporting the York Region Opioid Action Plan’s recommendation for expanding harm reduction services in York Region, to help reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths.
Opioid overdose can happen to anyone. Harm reduction is an approach that meets people where they are at, recognizing that people use substances on a continuum and for different reasons. The goal of harm reduction is to keep people safe if and when they choose to use these substances. If you or someone you know may benefit from having a naloxone kit, they are available at no cost. For more information on opioid use and where to get naloxone, visit york.ca/opioids
York Region Paramedics respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To help keep paramedics safe, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn as a precaution to stop viruses, such as COVID-19, from spreading from person to person.
Eligibility
Anyone can access emergency medical help. Call 9-1-1 and an ambulance will be sent to your location.
Cost
There is a fee for this service. Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website for more information.
