Prince Edward County (PEC) Committee of the Whole tentatively approved of additional paramedic service coverage in the county last week.

In a presentation by Carl Bowker, chief of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services, and Jim Pine, CAO of the County of Hastings, on March 16, it was revealed that PEC call volumes were up 42 per cent (with overnight calls up 53 per cent since 2007), with associated ambulance response times at night now increased by three minutes (to 13 minutes).

They recommended that staffing hours for the PEC service area be increased, which they believe would be the most cost-effective remedial option, at a cost of $436,643 (in 2023), as ambulance staffing levels in PEC have remained constant for 20 years.

Currently, one staffed PEC ambulance operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while another operates 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Under the proposed plan, the second ambulance, based in the Picton service area, would now operate in the evening hours (24 hours a day) as well.

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