The union representing medical dispatchers in Nova Scotia has raised concerns about recurrent issues with ambulance response times, citing a recent incident in Halifax where paramedics arrived 40 minutes after urgent calls from the police. According to the union, insufficient staffing, training, and the use of outdated maps in the new dispatch system contribute to delays in emergency response.
Jeff Callaghan, the national director of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers representing Nova Scotia medical dispatchers, emphasized that such delays are not uncommon and occur frequently. The Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) report detailed an incident on Feb. 22 in Halifax’s Fairview neighborhood, where a man in a mental health crisis did not receive timely medical assistance despite police calls to Emergency Health Services (EHS).
EHS informed police they were “staging,” leading to misinterpretation by the police that paramedics were nearby awaiting clearance. Subsequent delays in assigning paramedics to the call resulted in the man’s death. The SIRT report highlighted communication challenges between police and EHS dispatch systems, exacerbated by the separation of provincial and municipal systems.
Callaghan attributed delays to understaffing at the communications center, causing calls to be queued without dispatching ambulances promptly. The introduction of a new dispatching system in January 2025 raised concerns due to inadequate staff training and the use of outdated maps, leading to difficulties in locating callers accurately.
Kevin MacMullin, representing Nova Scotia paramedics, echoed concerns about delays in ambulance dispatches due to staffing shortages, high call volumes, and offloading patients at hospitals. He emphasized the need for improved communication between emergency responders and dispatch centers to enhance response efficiency.
While Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC), responsible for managing the dispatch system, stated the maps are regularly updated, concerns persist regarding system functionality and resource deployment. The company is reviewing the findings of the SIRT report and has hired additional personnel to bolster emergency response capabilities.
The incidents have prompted calls for investigations and improvements in the emergency response system to address critical issues affecting public safety.
