Two paramedic stations open to meet Newmarket's growing demand

Station No. 16 on Aspenwood Drive and station No. 19 on Harry Walker Parkway South will help York Region Paramedic Services quickly respond to the needs of the booming surrounding communities

Newmarkettoday.ca
October 21, 2019
Debora Kelly

Two new paramedic response stations have opened in rapidly growing areas of Newmarket.

The nearly $3-million station No. 16, at 135 Aspenwood Dr., and $3.8 million-station No. 19, at 415 Harry Walker Parkway South, will help York Region Paramedic Services quickly respond to the needs of the booming surrounding communities -- each of which has seen a population growth of 20 per cent within five kilometres of the new locations since 2001.

As well, the number of older adults in the two neighbourhoods has jumped by nearly 60 per cent in the last 18 years.

“This is a very exciting day for Newmarket. I think it’s an exciting day for any community when you open a new paramedic response station, but to open two is pretty spectacular,” said Newmarket Mayor John Taylor at the official opening ceremony for the Aspenwood station Wednesday.

“Because we live in such an incredible place, a great deal of people want to move here and live and stay here, and that puts a lot of pressure on our services, on the region, and our hospital,” Taylor added. “And we know that we have to work as hard as we can to meet the demands of a growing population to ensure that the services that they desperately need are there to support us as we grow.”

Last year alone, York's more than 500 paramedics responded to more than 83,200 incidents across the region, with 12 per cent occurring within five kilometres of the Aspenwood station and 11 per cent occurring within five kilometres of the Harry Walker South station.

“This represents a six per cent increase in the number of paramedic responses from 2017, reinforcing the need for well-equipped facilities to serve our growing communities,” York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said.

“Paramedics play an important role in our communities and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication and commitment and support.”

Chris Spearen, Chief of York Region Paramedic Services, noted that paramedics responded to 83,225 incidents last year “within or even faster than their mandated response times targets… an exceptional achievement.”

The two paramedic response stations have been strategically located in northwest and northeast Newmarket not only to meet the current high demand, but also in anticipation of continued growth, Spearen added.

“As our population grows and ages, we know we will continue to see an increase in calls and we’re taking proper steps now to optimize and use the resources most effectively and efficiently,” he said.

The three-base station at Aspenwood, for instance, can accommodate up to six ambulances, if required.

The Harry Walker Parkway station, which was completed in December 2018, is also a six-bay station.

The two new stations bring the total number of paramedic stations across the region to 24, including headquarters at 80 Bales Dr. in East Gwillimbury.

Another six new stations, four to accommodate growth and two to replace older stations, are planned for the near future, according to Spearen.

“Our paramedics are there when residents need them, sometimes during life’s most important and unforgettable times,” said Lisa Gonsalves, general manager, York Region Paramedic and Seniors Services, at the official opening.

The provincial government, represented by Newmarket-Aurora MPP and Health Minister Christine Elliott at the opening, was acknowledged for “its ongoing support in operational funding” of York Region Paramedic Services by Emmerson.

The operating costs of the stations are equally shared with the region and Ontario’s Ministry of Health, according to Spearen.

“I want to recognize and thank York Region Paramedic Services for the incredible work that you do for our community in times of need (for) paramedic services,” Elliott said.  “These two new stations will make it even easier for the families of York Region to get the care when and where they need it.”

The Region of York assumed responsibility for land ambulance services in 2000, creating York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through the amalgamation of the six ambulance services then operating in the region.