A Guelph-Wellington Emergency Medical Services ambulance station might become a part of an expanded fire hall in Drayton.
Council has told Fire Chief Rick Richardson to talk with the emergency service after hearing his report to council on Jan. 24.
Richardson’s report noted the service has used a bay at the Drayton fire station to house an ambulance for the past several years, but with no written agreement in place. That ambulance is scheduled to operate from there daily from 8am to 4pm. Paramedics also use the fire hall meeting room with television, kitchen, dispatch computer and washrooms.
The problem is, the report stated, “the space used to house the ambulance has become restrictive and apparatus needs to be moved to accommodate them. There is a requirement for the ambulance to be parked inside to prevent equipment and supplies from freezing.”
Richardson said Arthur and Rockwood rent space to the service, and there are agreements for the service between those municipalities and the EMS.
He said in the report he has met with the head of Guelph EMS and discussed the need for dedicated ambulance services.
“In order to provide continued EMS presence in the township, I believe it is prudent to enter into further discussions with Guelph EMS as soon as possible,” Richardson said.
His recommendation was to hold talks about ambulance requirements, the options for housing one at the Drayton fire station and the necessity of a written agreement. He also suggested he provide a written report on the discussions.
Richardson told council he talked with service officials last fall and he noted it now has larger vehicles and more equipment, which is getting difficult to fit it into the space the service uses.
“If it’s not available, they could leave,” said Richardson.
Mayor Bruce Whale said he was hearing the service is willing to lease space if the township is interested in providing it. He said when council discusses its budget, councillors “could put something in place.”
But councillor Neil Driscoll said it sounded to him the proposal is “to build onto the fire hall.”
Richardson said that is “an option.” He added providing more space would mean the ambulance is “not parked in front of our equipment. Space is running a little short.”
That is because the department now has a boat for water rescues and has purchased more fire fighting gear.
Whale said council can consider expansion, but he wanted to know “can we look at cost recovery over the years?”
He added expansion would provide benefits. “Volunteers don’t have to do medical calls if they [ambulance staff] are right here.”
Council asked Richardson to provide a report after meeting with EMS officials.
