Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, patients are responsible for paying $45.00 of the cost while OHIP covers the remaining portion. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Of course, it is important for paramedics to respond to genuine emergencies quickly, therefore they may use “lights and sirens” to request the right of way from other drivers and get to the scene quickly. Using lights and sirens increases risk however, to paramedics and other drivers. Also, lights and sirens are often not necessary to quickly respond to emergencies in some circumstances. So, you may see an ambulance responding to a call without using lights and sirens, as its use is at the paramedic’s discretion. That’s why, if you’re waiting for an ambulance, and it arrives without “lights and sirens” activated, it does not mean that they were not responding quickly. Regardless, the first priority for paramedics is to respond to calls safely and quickly, while following the “rules of the road”, and respecting the responsibility that comes with authority to break those rules.

Yes. In a genuine emergency (threat to life and/or limb), paramedics may disregard the “rules of the road” (e.g. they may drive faster than posted speed limits). But they must do so in a safe fashion at all times. For example, at a red light, they must come to a complete stop and ensure that every other driver sees them before proceeding against that red light. Paramedics are acutely aware of the inherent risk that comes from a rapid response, and are exceedingly careful when doing so.

In emergency situations, ambulance accidents are rare. At SNEMS, we have had a few over the past decade, but fortunately, none have involved serious injury or death. In non-emergency situations, we have had accidents. One has included serious injury, to one of our paramedics. Indeed, vehicle accidents and working on roadways represent the most risk to personal safety. SNEMS paramedics travel more than 600,000 kilometers per year. Our drivers are professionals.

SNEMS utilizes a “dynamic” staffing pattern. Our deployment plan responds to varying levels of demand. For example, demand typically begins to rise around 8 am, peaking around 2:30 pm, and then declines, until rising slightly in the late evening. The early morning hours are quietest. This is unlike an urban fire department, which has “static” deployment, meaning staffing levels are consistent at all times. 

Those are our Paramedic Response Units (PRU), providing a rapid EMS response to emergency calls. With one paramedic and the same equipment found in an ambulance, these vehicles are dispatched to emergency scenes. They do not become “tied up” as ambulances often do, as they do not transport patients to the hospital. If you call 911, you may find of these PRUs at your home. PRUs are also in the District, in Marathon, Geraldton, and Nipigon. As in Thunder Bay, these are staffed by superintendents who are paramedics. In all cases, they may respond to 911 calls. 

In Ontario, there is a provincial air ambulance service – Ornge. 

Learn the signs of stroke:

1. Face - is it drooping?
2. Arms - can you raise them?
3. Speech - is it slurred or jumbled?
4. Time - to call 911 now?