Peel Paramedics advance innovative care and staff wellness to meet growing community needs

BRAMPTON, Ont. - October 10, 2025. Yesterday, in a report to Peel Regional Council, Peel Regional Paramedic Services presented how it continues to transform how integrated emergency and community-based care is delivered in response to the growing needs of the community.

Peel Regional Paramedic Services provides emergency medical care to more than 1.6 million residents and thousands of visitors annually across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. With over 1,000 staff and a growing fleet, Peel’s Paramedic Service is recognized across Canada for its leadership in innovation, community programs, and excellence in patient care. As the population and increased complexity of medical calls continues to rise, Paramedic Chief Brian Gibson showcased how the Service continues to achieve its mission of meeting the diverse needs of the community through reliable, innovative, quality care that prioritizes people, culture and safety through the guidance of their 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.

"Our Paramedics Services team is at the forefront of innovation, compassion, and service," said Paramedic Chief Brian Gibson. "Our team is always looking for ways we can improve our service. Strong partnerships lead to strong communities and we rely on many internal and external teams to continue to adapt to the evolving needs of our growing and aging population while ensuring every person in Peel receives the care they need when they need it most."

Key highlights from the 2025 Service update

• Growing call volumes and demand: Paramedics now respond to an average of 420 calls per day, a 3.2% increase from 2024, as Peel's population approaches 1.7 million residents. Call volumes are expected to more than double by the time we reach 2036.
• Investing in infrastructure: The new Docksteader reporting station, scheduled for 2027, will increase ambulance capacity, improve logistics, and strengthen response time performance.
• Protecting our frontline workers: The External Violence Against Paramedics (EVAP) program and new ALERT training have reduced workplace risks and made Peel a national leader in paramedic safety and psychological health.
• Supporting wellness and culture: Paramedic Services launched its first Workplace Culture and Well-Being Plan, focused on belonging, learning, and psychological safety for all staff.
• Enhancing fleet efficiency and sustainability: Through ambulance "remounts" and modular equipment systems, the Service has saved over $750,000 and reduced vehicle turnaround times to under one hour.
• Expanding Community Paramedicine: More than 3,500 in-home and clinic appointments were delivered in 2024 to seniors and residents with complex health needs - reducing 9-1-1 calls and emergency visits.

Mitigating our system pressures

Despite these gains, increasing call volumes, hospital offload delays and rising urban density continue to impact ambulance availability and response times. Thanks to the continued support of Regional Council, Peel Regional Paramedic Services will strive to meet these challenges, and service demands by investing in:

• Predictive dispatch and digital systems for faster, data-driven response
• Leveraging Community Paramedicine to support vulnerable populations within Peel
• Fleet expansion to 201 ambulances by 2030
• New partnerships with Ontario Health Teams and hospitals to strengthen system integration
• Enhanced mental health programs and resilience supports for paramedics

Chief Gibson also presented stories on how Peel paramedics have positively impacted the lives of those in our community. Watch the video.

For more information, read the full Council report and presentation.