THUNDER BAY — An additional $749,551 in annual funding from the province is good news for Superior North EMS, the regional ambulance and paramedic service’s chief said Thursday.
“It’s an increase … and we’ll put it to good use,” Shane Muir told Newswatch.
The annual land ambulance service grant “supports paramedic staffing, ambulance operations, medical equipment, facilities and other resources to help meet growing demand across Thunder Bay and the surrounding municipalities and communities,” a news release from the City of Thunder Bay said.
This year’s grant is $20.59 million, about 3.6 per cent more than last year.
The city operates Superior North EMS, which has four 24-hour-a-day stations in Thunder Bay and stations in 13 other communities including Upsala to the west, Armstrong to the north and Longlac and Manitouwadge to the east.
Its Schreiber and Terrace Bay stations will be merged into one station with three drive-through ambulance bays and modern amenities at 1006 Highway 17 in Terrace Bay.
Thunder Bay-based RML Contracting has been chosen as the project’s general contractor.
“This funding helps us maintain frontline coverage, respond to increasing demand and ensure paramedics have the vehicles, equipment and resources needed to deliver safe, high-quality patient care,” Muir is quoted as saying in the city’s release.
“As our communities continue to grow, strong emergency medical services remain essential to community well-being and quality of life.”
