The union representing medical dispatchers in Nova Scotia has raised concerns about frequent issues with ambulance response times, citing a recent incident in Halifax where paramedics arrived 40 minutes late despite urgent calls from police. According to the union, inadequate staffing, training, and an outdated dispatch system have contributed to delays in emergency responses.
Jeff Callaghan, the national director of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers representing Nova Scotia medical dispatchers, emphasized that such delays are common and not isolated incidents. A recent report from Nova Scotia’s police watchdog, the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), detailed an incident on February 22 in Halifax’s Fairview neighborhood where a man in a mental health crisis did not receive timely medical assistance despite police calls for help.
The report highlighted communication challenges between police and Emergency Health Services (EHS) dispatch systems, leading to delays in dispatching paramedics. The union also pointed out that the new dispatch system introduced in January 2025 lacked proper training for staff and used outdated maps, causing difficulties in locating callers accurately.
Kevin MacMullin, the business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 727 representing Nova Scotia paramedics, echoed concerns about ambulance staffing issues leading to delays in dispatching services. Both unions emphasized the need for improved communication and response processes to prevent such incidents in the future.
Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC), the company managing the dispatch system and ambulance services in Nova Scotia, stated that efforts are being made to enhance communication and response procedures following the findings of the SIRT report. Despite challenges, EMC has hired over 120 new staff members since January to address staffing shortages and improve emergency response capabilities in the region.