Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Services is asking for over $1 million in additional funding this year. The money will be used to hire eight new full-time paramedics and increase ambulance coverage in North Grenville and Gananoque.
The budget request was approved by Joint Services yesterday. The matter will come before County Council in February or March for final approval.
Chief Chris Lloyd says the demand on paramedic services is growing beyond projections. He says a 4 per cent increase in call volume was anticipated between 2017 and 2018. Loyd says it increased 8.1 per cent.
There are currently 60 full-time and 46 part-time paramedics in Leeds and Grenville. The City of Brockville has two 24-hour and one 12-hour ambulances. Both Edwardsburgh-Cardinal and Elgin have one 24-hour and one 12-hour ambulances.
North Grenville and Gananoque have one 24-hour ambulance each. The funding bump would add a 12-hour ambulance to both places.
Lloyd says the demand is only going up. He says Leeds and Grenville has an ageing population and seniors are the highest users of paramedic services. Loyd says the trend is expected to continue for several years.
Paramedic services responded to over 4,000 calls in North Grenville in 2018. Â Â Â