Update:
The Barrie-Simcoe Emergency Services Campus commenced operations in early 2020, however the pandemic has led to resource and operational challenges.
Staff are currently taking steps to introduce operations and processes and it is anticipated that
full operational status will be achieved prior to year-end.
Background:
In 2008 County Council endorsed an independent consultant's recommendation that County of Simcoe Paramedic Services would benefit through long term cost savings, operational and resource efficiencies and reduced call response times by employing both traditional paramedic response stations as well as a central facility and implementing a hub and post model in higher population density areas. Since then the hub and post model has been a part of the strategic facility plan.
The paramedic services portion of this campus forms the "hub" in the "hub and post configuration" described below.
For information about the project, FAQs and details about other emergency services partners please visit the City of Barrie BSESC project page.
Hub and Post Model:
In a hub and post configuration, Paramedic staff report to a central location which serves as the operations "hub". The hub incorporates staff reporting facilities such as lockers, large equipment and supply stores, multiple vehicle bays and staff parking facilities.
At the beginning of a duty period, Paramedics would report to the hub, check their vehicles and equipment, restock supplies, and undertake other activities as needed. Paramedics would then deploy into the field and respond to calls. They would travel to, and many times locate at, a fixed post. The post is located in an area in consideration of call demand.
The post is a smaller facility with one vehicle bay, washroom, kitchenette and computer room. The post will not require staff parking or facilities such as locker rooms or supplies, as the hub will provide these necessities. The post represents a small footprint within high demand areas.
The use of a hub and post configuration is very scalable to support growing communities and is in place in other Ontario municipalities. These posts will be located closer to more neighbourhoods resulting in reduced response times across the coverage area. This approach is best utilized in larger areas of higher call demand. In addition to providing report to work facilities, the hub will also serve as a response station in coordination with the posts.
Benefits of the hub and post model:
- By centralizing many Paramedic Services functions at a larger hub and building smaller more cost efficient posts, more neighbourhoods will see a constant Paramedic presence and improved response times. Larger inefficient stations would be closed and replaced with smaller posts placed in strategic locations
- Hub model allows the service to be better positioned to respond to the needs of the community and staff, keeping vehicles and equipment in service longer with little to no interruption due to breakdown
- Improved central storage and management of equipment and supplies, reduced shipping costs
- Centralized storage of supplies and command vehicles allows for better preparation for, and a more coordinated response to large scale incidents
- Inclusion of community space allow for greater interaction with the community for events like save-a-life CPR training
- Vehicle deep clean program will be moved to the hub to ensure enhanced deep cleaning of ambulances and equipment
- A number of bays are allocated for cleaning and processing, pick up and drop off for repair, as well as operations and support vehicles. The plan for the garage area allocates four (4) bays to vehicle processing and maintenance with the remaining twenty-five (25) bays allocated for thirty-one (31) operational and program vehicles, inclusive of two bays for future growth. It is understood that some of these resources will always be out in deployment and will not all be in the hub at the same time
Timing:
- Endorsed in concept 2008
- Council's budget approval: 2015
- Land acquisition finalized: June 2017
- Site work starting: Fall 2017
- Construction: as early as possible in 2018
- Paramedic Services operations at the facility: commencing 2020
