Ottawa Paramedic Service 2024 - 2026 Investment Plan
File No. ACS2023-EPS-OPS-0002 - City Wide
Report Recommendations
That the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council:
Receive the report for information.
Approve the following growth pressures be considered in the 2024 Draft Budget:
the addition of 23.00 permanent full-time equivalents (FTEs) with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,010,000, and an annualization of $820,000 in the 2025 Draft Budget, and the purchase of two (2) emergency response vehicles with an estimated capital budget requirement of $680,000 and operating budget of $250,000, to help mitigate frontline staff workload as a result of increased emergency call demand pressures; and
the addition of 3.00 permanent FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $370,000 towards psychological supports to support employee wellness and reduce occupational stress injuries.
Approve the following offload delay pressures be considered in the 2024 Draft Budget:
the addition of 17.00 FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,080,000, and the purchase of one (1) emergency response vehicle with an estimated capital budget requirement of $165,000 and operating budget of $56,000, subject to the confirmation of provincial and/or local hospital funding, to help mitigate frontline staff hours lost in area hospitals beyond 30-minutes, which is reducing the availability of ambulances to respond to calls for service and impeding the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s ability to meet response time standards.
Approve the following growth pressures be considered into the 2025 Draft Budget:
the addition of 23.00 permanent FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,050,000, and an annualization of $840,00 in the 2026 Draft Budget, and the purchase of two (2) emergency response vehicles with an estimated capital budget requirement of $700,000 and operating budget of $260,000 to help mitigate frontline staff workload as a result of increased emergency call demand pressures.
Approve the following offload delay pressures be considered into the 2025 Draft Budget:
the addition of 17.00 FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,130,000, and the purchase of one (1) emergency response vehicle with an estimated capital budget requirement of $168,000 and operating budget of $57,000, subject to the confirmation of provincial and/or local hospital funding, to help mitigate frontline staff hours lost in area hospitals beyond 30-minutes, which is reducing the availability of ambulances to respond to calls for service and impeding the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s ability to meet response time standards.
Approve the following growth pressures be considered into the 2026 Draft Budget:
the addition of 23.00 permanent FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,090,000, and an annualization of $860,000 in the 2027 Draft Budget, and the purchase of two (2) emergency response vehicles with an estimated capital budget requirement of $710,000 and operating budget of $260,000 to help mitigate frontline staff workload as a result of increased emergency call demand pressures.
Approve the following offload delay pressures be considered into the 2026 Draft Budget:
the addition of 17.00 FTEs with an estimated operating budget requirement of $2,170,000, and the purchase of one (1) emergency response vehicle with an estimated capital budget requirement of $172,000 and operating budget of $58,000, subject to the confirmation of provincial and/or local hospital funding, to help mitigate frontline staff hours lost in area hospitals beyond 30-minutes, which is reducing the availability of ambulances to respond to calls for service and impeding the Ottawa Paramedic Service’s ability to meet response time standards.
Subject to the approval of recommendations 3, 5 and 7, direct staff to report back to Council as part of the 2024 budget process on the confirmation of provincial and/or local area hospital funding.
Direct the Mayor to engage with the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Health, outlining the ongoing impacts associated with offload delays and advocate to the Province to implement solutions immediately to reduce offload delays and the number of occurrences and duration of when no ambulances are available in the City of Ottawa (level zero), to ensure public safety and help the Ottawa Paramedic Service meet response time performance standards.
In Camera Items
Information Previously Distributed
Response to Motion 2021 20/4 (CPSC) – Private Transportation Companies
File No. ACS2023-EPS-PPD-0002- City Wide
Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)
Inquiries
Other Business
Adjournment
Next Meeting
Thursday, 21 September 2023.