Durham Region celebrates official opening of the Seaton Paramedic Response Station

Whitby, Ontario – Today, the Region of Durham and Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS) celebrated the official opening of the new Seaton Paramedic Response Station and Training Facility in Pickering. This new station will provide improved service and access to emergency services for residents of the north Ajax and Pickering communities in Durham Region.

 This station will also house RDPS’ Quality and Development team which oversees:

• Training and education: delivering ongoing education, certification and professional development for paramedics.
• Quality assurance: monitoring and evaluating paramedic performance and patient care outcomes.
• Innovation and best practices: integrating evidence-based practices and emerging technologies into paramedic operations to improve patient care and system efficiency.
• Support and mentorship: providing guidance and support to new recruits and experienced staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

This new facility is one of three strategically recommended stations outlined in the Master Plan developed by Operational Research in Health Limited (ORH) to address growing demand and improve response times across the region. The Region engaged ORH to conduct a review of RDPS to help address growing demand and improve response times across the region and make recommendations for a comprehensive master plan for the 10-year period from 2021 to 2031.

This new location was identified through advanced location optimization modelling (OGRE) as a critical site to improve coverage in north Ajax/Pickering; an area experiencing rapid development and increasing emergency call volumes. Through the delivery of service from this station, response performance is projected to improve, helping to maintain or exceed 2016 service levels notwithstanding a projected 63 per cent increase in high priority calls by 2031.

RDPS provides emergency medical services for residents of the region’s eight municipalities. As one of the largest paramedic services in Ontario, RDPS is the sole certified land ambulance operator for Durham Region, operating ambulances from 12 strategically located stations across the region, ensuring rapid response to emergency calls. RDPS consist of more than 500 primary and advanced care paramedics, with some members specially trained to operate in high-risk situations utilizing specialized response units. RDPS responds to over 134,000 calls a year for assistance throughout Durham Region and surrounding areas.

Quotes

“Region of Durham Paramedic Services are on the frontlines every day, providing life-saving care when and where it’s needed most. The new Seaton Paramedic Response Station is an investment in the safety and well-being of Durham residents—today and into the future. With advanced training facilities and a focus on innovation, this site will enable paramedics to deliver faster, more effective care as our communities continue to grow.”

– Joanne Dies, Regional Councillor and Vice-Chair of Health and Social Services Committee on behalf of John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham

“Seaton Paramedic Response Station will help us respond more efficiently to emergencies and support our growing communities. We’re proud to invest in our paramedics and deliver the highest standard of care for Durham Region.” 

— Troy Cheseboro, Chief, Region of Durham Paramedic Services 

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