Paramedic Services improves response times for most urgent calls

Under the new Medical Priority Dispatch System, York Region Paramedic Services exceeded 2025 response time targets for the most urgent medical emergencies. For example, sudden cardiac arrest or absence of breathing has an average response time of 5 minutes and 43 seconds; the least urgent cases (minor ailments or general pain) averaged 14 minutes and 35 seconds.

The new dispatch system is designed to better identify the most serious and life-threatening emergencies, directing paramedic resources where they are needed most.

“The Medical Priority Dispatch System is helping us get the right resources to the right patients at the right time,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “First-year results reflect the dedication and professionalism of our paramedics while demonstrating how the system is improving response times for the most urgent emergencies, where every second can make a difference.”

Under the previous dispatch model, some lower-acuity calls were over-prioritized, leading to unnecessary lights-and-sirens responses and increased pressure on available paramedic resources. The new system more accurately matches response levels to patient needs, resulting in slightly longer response times for some less urgent calls.

In December 2025, Regional Council approved allowing paramedic service vehicles responding to lower acuity calls to use York Region’s dedicated bus lanes. This change is expected to improve response times for less urgent calls and provide safer, more efficient emergency response under the new dispatch model.