Paramedics in Waterloo region say resources are starting to 'match the demand for our service'
CBC
It was only a few years ago when paramedics in Waterloo region were sounding the alarm about being overworked and lacking necessary resources to effectively do their jobs, but recently they say there's hope.
At the end of 2022, Waterloo region experienced weekly Code Red events, meaning there were no ambulances available to respond to emergency calls.
This was caused by a variety of factors including being understaffed, long offloading times at hospitals and the overall increase for service demand that was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Riches is the chief of Waterloo region's paramedic services. He says things are looking much better.
"In 2022, we were at a bit of a precipice where yes, investments were being made, but the number of Code Zero or Code Red events were still significant," Riches explained.
"What we're seeing now after the year of 2024 and still seeing it now into 2025, is that the number of resources we have are starting to be able to match the demand for our service."
Though Code Reds, now known as Code Zeros, are still happening once in a while, it's nowhere near the severity that it was during the peak of the pandemic.
In 2022, Waterloo region had 210 Code Red events, totalling roughly 76 hours, according to the region's performance measurement indicators update from that year.
A stark difference compared to 2024's year-to-date update released in September, indicating approximately 14 hours were spent in code red.
Riches attributes much of the improving metrics to the Region of Waterloo's council supporting an expansion for paramedic services.
Back in September 2023, it was announced that local paramedic services would receive $4.4 million to hire more staff.
The region also received an additional $1.65 million from the province for a designated offload nurse program.
"During peak deployment, we now have 40 staff resources available on the road and overnight that drops to 20, obviously because call demand drops overnight while people are sleeping."
As a result, emergency response times have also improved.
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