New Paramedic Base Opens in Durham to Enhance Emergency Services

A new paramedic base has officially opened in Durham, marking a significant step in Grey County’s expansion of emergency services. This base is the first of five planned facilities aimed at addressing the increasing demand for paramedic services over the next four years. The state-of-the-art facility, located at the intersection of Chester Street and Grey Road 4, was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a large crowd on Saturday afternoon.

The new base represents an investment of $2.4 million and covers approximately 6,000 square feet, more than three times the size of the previous facility near Durham hospital. It is designed to accommodate more staff, vehicles, and medical supplies, enhancing the county’s capacity to respond to emergencies.

Kevin McNab, the Director of Paramedic Services for Grey County, emphasized the importance of the new base, stating, “This facility allows us to have a new base, which it was time for in the town of Durham, but it also serves as a hub for our 911 paramedics and community paramedics.” He noted that the expansion aligns with a comprehensive deployment review conducted for the years 2023 to 2033, which highlighted the need for additional resources.

Expansion Plans to Address Growing Demand

The deployment review, completed by Operational Research in Health in 2022, recommended the establishment of six new bases across the county, along with the addition of nearly a dozen ambulances, two new supervisors, and hundreds of extra staff hours each week. McNab mentioned that the call volume for paramedic services is projected to rise by 5.8 percent annually. Current data shows a slight increase of 5.9 percent, with a notable 8.3 percent rise compared to the previous year’s figures.

Efforts to enhance response times in rural areas are a priority for the county, with the new Durham site selected for its strategic access to county roads. “What we are trying to do is improve upon our response times in our more rural areas,” McNab said. Future bases are planned for locations including Feversham, Ayton, Thornbury, and Cobble Beach, with construction expected to begin later this year.

Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure

The new paramedic base has been designed with sustainability in mind, being solar-ready and aligned with Grey County’s Climate Change Action Plan. Andrea Matrosovs, the Warden of Grey County, highlighted the significance of the facility, stating, “These beautiful new facilities represent our commitment to ensuring that our paramedics have the modern infrastructure they need to serve our communities effectively.”

Funding for the base comes from various sources, including a reserve established for the project, land ambulance development charges, and a debenture. The county allocated $150,000 to acquire the land from the Municipality of West Grey and contributed $200,000 toward shared road servicing infrastructure with the adjacent police facility.

The West Grey Police Service is also constructing a new station, with a budget of $8.8 million, expected to be completed by December 2024. Mayor Kevin Eccles of West Grey expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the county and the municipality, emphasizing the benefits of having both facilities in close proximity.

As Grey County continues to expand its paramedic services, the new base in Durham stands as a testament to its commitment to community health and safety. The strategic planning and investments made will help ensure that paramedics can respond effectively to emergencies, providing critical care when needed most.