Timmins 9-1-1 Calls Adopting Medical Priority Dispatch System Starting June 25
The Timmins Central Ambulance Communication Centre, along with Cochrane District Paramedic Service and Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Paramedic Service, will begin using the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) for all 9-1-1 medical calls on Wednesday, June 25, according to the Timmins Police Service.
This change means people in Timmins and nearby communities who call 9-1-1 for medical emergencies can expect a new process. The Timmins Police Service announced that callers will be asked more detailed questions regarding the patient's condition and location. This information aims to help dispatchers determine the most appropriate response to each call.
According to the Timmins Police Service, individuals who call for non-life-threatening matters should expect wait times that may be longer, depending on the nature of the emergency and the patient's condition. For less-urgent cases, ambulance communications officers will maintain regular contact with callers to monitor the patient’s condition.
The Timmins Police Service states that the MPDS is already in use at over 35,000 ambulance communications centres in at least 46 countries. In Ontario, the system currently operates in Toronto, Ottawa, Peel, Halton, York, Niagara, Thunder Bay, Kenora, and other areas. The announcement indicates that MPDS will soon become the standard for ambulance dispatch across the province.
No further details about the implementation or additional impacts on the community were provided in the Timmins Police Service announcement.