Pressure on Essex-Windsor EMS service continues, says chief

Operational pressures continue for Essex-Windsor EMS.

Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers presented a report during last Wednesday’s meeting of Essex County council that summarized 2025 operations.

“The report reflects a system operating under sustained pressure with demand workforce capacity and infrastructure,” said Lammers.

A couple of the biggest concerns are the increase in calls and the number of Code Blacks which is the situation when no ambulances in the region are able to respond.

Lammers reported during the June 3 meeting that in 2025, there were 563 minutes throughout the year of Code Blacks, which is an increase of 57 per cent from the previous year.

Staffing continues to be a major issue and despite a June 1ceremony to welcome 24 new part-time paramedics, there seems to be a gap in the number required.

“Is this a Windsor-Essex problem? Is it an industry problem or is it something we see with all 24/7 365 operations such as EMS,” asked Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb.

Lammers responded that the lack of paramedics is a province-wide concern and each year throughout Ontario there is a shortage of at least 1,000 responders. 

“Overall, the system continues to operate under sustained pressure. We are seeing a slight decline in response time performance in our most critical categories,” said Lammers.

Of the 68,420 calls last year, about 19 per cent was for prompt calls, which is Code 3, and Code 4 which is categorized as urgent and requires lights and sirens when responding, is nearly 42 per cent of the overall call volume.

“Call volumes continue to grow and remains consistent with our master plan projections,” said Lammers. “When we look more closely at call profiles and systematic activity, a significant portion of the workload continues to be Code 4, it’s the highest call for demand.”

In his report, he said that in 2025, 33 part-time paramedics filled in temporarily on a full-time basis. There were 37 disability related absences and that workforce pressures affect the ability to implement service enhancements.

Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti inquired about new stations and the EMS headquarters/hub. Lammers said two new satellite stations are in the works in Windsor and that the new hub will be built next to the mega-hospital.

“Despite all the resources that county council and administration have put into EMS, there are still a lot of strains on the system,” said Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy.

The budget, which is paid by the county, Windsor and the province was $53.49 million in 2024 and last year increased to $56.64 million.

Offloading time at the hospitals continue to be less, and the county authorized a pre-budget approval which will see the purchase of five new ambulances, four renewal ambulances and two rapid response vehicles. A new dispatch system is scheduled to be operational by September.

Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics continue labour negotiations as their current contract expired on March 31.

Pressure on Essex-Windsor EMS service continues - says chief

By Fred Groves