Frontenac Paramedics - A Plan for the Future

Frontenac Paramedics serve more than 174,000 residents across almost 4,000 sq/km of Eastern Ontario. About 150 Paramedics and a fleet of 19 ambulances (14 of which are in service at peak times) from eight stations attend some 32,000 calls per year. Response times and the other numbers we use to measure our performance are competitive among those of other Paramedic services in Ontario. Even though patients are often living their very worst days when they meet and interact with Paramedics, we measure a 99.9 percent satisfaction rate among those we serve.


It’s a record of which we are individually and collectively proud. Virtually all that success is due to the individual contributions of Paramedics and the direct care they provide on-scene. Ours is a group of dedicated and highly trained women and men working together under sometimes very difficult conditions to help people solve big, life-threatening, problems.


Another part of our success involves putting time and resources into predicting, preparing for, and adapting to long-term change as it happens. We know for example that the population in our region, especially in the west end of Kingston, is increasing at a rate well beyond the national average. We also know that 48 percent of our patients are over 65 and that the population as a whole is skewing older over time. Our most recent information predicts that the number of calls to Frontenac Paramedics is expected to rise by at least four percent every year for at least the next decade. There are already indications that we may exceed that rate.


We know that vehicles, buildings, and equipment age, become obsolete and need to be continually maintained, refreshed, and eventually replaced. We opened a new Frontenac Paramedics station in 2024 on Frontenac County campus just north of 401 at Kingston. Plans are underway for another one in the west end of Kingston in the next couple of years.


The closest available paramedic crew to any given emergency responds no matter where they're stationed. In times of high demand in the city, that means crews stationed in rural areas are likely to be drawn to Kingston. These added new resources and facilities will serve Kingston residents as the city grows and they will also serve residents outside the city by keeping paramedic crews in rural areas more often.


We know that Paramedicine continues to change, too. Forty years ago, Paramedics were trained and equipped only to apply basic first aid and to transport patients to the nearest hospital. Contemporary paramedics administer more sophisticated and ever-evolving life-saving treatments. They are increasingly called upon to learn and master useful emerging life-saving technologies, so we have invested in autonomous IV program training to equip some paramedics to quickly administer medications in the field that were previously only authorized for hospital. We also added new computer software and processes to make patient data entry faster and more accurate for Paramedics so they spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork.


Paramedics have a broader role in their communities, too. They operate our growing Community Paramedicine Program to help our senior citizens and most vulnerable residents to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and to live safely in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible.


All those things we can see on the horizon imply that we need to continuously prepare so that Frontenac Paramedics are properly resourced in the future.


The Frontenac Paramedics' operating budget is about $22 million. Our plan for the future is to balance response times with the most cost-effective and efficient delivery model. We need to do all this while respecting taxpayers’ investment and with the appropriate foresight needed to expect and account for otherwise unexpected costs along the way.


This is where you come in.


The right column on this page is filled with information and resources you can use to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge to make informed and valuable contributions to funding and planning processes. Below on this page you will find a suite of tools you can use to interact with your fellow citizens, councillors, and municipal staff. This is a place to share and shape your knowledge, ideas, opinions, and stories. Your input on this page and at public meetings will all go into shaping Frontenac Paramedics' future course.


The provision of Paramedic services is all about you, your families, and your future. Your guidance, expertise, and engagement is critically important if we are to work together to ensure Frontenac Paramedics are ready when you need them, whether it be today or 10 years from now.

Frontenac Paramedics serve more than 174,000 residents across almost 4,000 sq/km of Eastern Ontario. About 150 Paramedics and a fleet of 19 ambulances (14 of which are in service at peak times) from eight stations attend some 32,000 calls per year. Response times and the other numbers we use to measure our performance are competitive among those of other Paramedic services in Ontario. Even though patients are often living their very worst days when they meet and interact with Paramedics, we measure a 99.9 percent satisfaction rate among those we serve.


It’s a record of which we are individually and collectively proud. Virtually all that success is due to the individual contributions of Paramedics and the direct care they provide on-scene. Ours is a group of dedicated and highly trained women and men working together under sometimes very difficult conditions to help people solve big, life-threatening, problems.


Another part of our success involves putting time and resources into predicting, preparing for, and adapting to long-term change as it happens. We know for example that the population in our region, especially in the west end of Kingston, is increasing at a rate well beyond the national average. We also know that 48 percent of our patients are over 65 and that the population as a whole is skewing older over time. Our most recent information predicts that the number of calls to Frontenac Paramedics is expected to rise by at least four percent every year for at least the next decade. There are already indications that we may exceed that rate.


We know that vehicles, buildings, and equipment age, become obsolete and need to be continually maintained, refreshed, and eventually replaced. We opened a new Frontenac Paramedics station in 2024 on Frontenac County campus just north of 401 at Kingston. Plans are underway for another one in the west end of Kingston in the next couple of years.


The closest available paramedic crew to any given emergency responds no matter where they're stationed. In times of high demand in the city, that means crews stationed in rural areas are likely to be drawn to Kingston. These added new resources and facilities will serve Kingston residents as the city grows and they will also serve residents outside the city by keeping paramedic crews in rural areas more often.


We know that Paramedicine continues to change, too. Forty years ago, Paramedics were trained and equipped only to apply basic first aid and to transport patients to the nearest hospital. Contemporary paramedics administer more sophisticated and ever-evolving life-saving treatments. They are increasingly called upon to learn and master useful emerging life-saving technologies, so we have invested in autonomous IV program training to equip some paramedics to quickly administer medications in the field that were previously only authorized for hospital. We also added new computer software and processes to make patient data entry faster and more accurate for Paramedics so they spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork.


Paramedics have a broader role in their communities, too. They operate our growing Community Paramedicine Program to help our senior citizens and most vulnerable residents to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and to live safely in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible.


All those things we can see on the horizon imply that we need to continuously prepare so that Frontenac Paramedics are properly resourced in the future.


The Frontenac Paramedics' operating budget is about $22 million. Our plan for the future is to balance response times with the most cost-effective and efficient delivery model. We need to do all this while respecting taxpayers’ investment and with the appropriate foresight needed to expect and account for otherwise unexpected costs along the way.


This is where you come in.


The right column on this page is filled with information and resources you can use to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge to make informed and valuable contributions to funding and planning processes. Below on this page you will find a suite of tools you can use to interact with your fellow citizens, councillors, and municipal staff. This is a place to share and shape your knowledge, ideas, opinions, and stories. Your input on this page and at public meetings will all go into shaping Frontenac Paramedics' future course.


The provision of Paramedic services is all about you, your families, and your future. Your guidance, expertise, and engagement is critically important if we are to work together to ensure Frontenac Paramedics are ready when you need them, whether it be today or 10 years from now.

  • Jakob Rodger appointed Superintendent of Professional Standards – Training

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  • Ground broken on new Frontenac Paramedics, Kingston Fire and Rescue Base 11

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    KINGSTON — Construction of a new fire station and paramedic base kicked off Monday in the city’s west end.

    A new $13-million station on Taylor Kidd Boulevard is to house Kingston Fire and Frontenac Paramedics and its construction is scheduled to be complete late next year.

    The location was selected as part of a study looking at ways for emergency services to improve response time standards.

  • Frontenac Paramedics take delivery of new ambulance

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    There’s a brand new Frontenac Paramedics ambulance, just delivered last week with fewer than 100 km on it so far, making its first public appearance at a Touch-the-Truck PR event at École Maple Elementary School in Kingston, June 19.

    New Frontenac Paramedics ambulance 4229. Supply chain and other issues have made new ambulances as rare as hen’s teeth these last few years. The new 4229 brings the Frontenac Paramedics ambulance fleet to 19 trucks now (with 13 or 14 in service across Frontenac County and Kingston at any given time). This new ambulance, new paramedic shifts this year, along with the new Glenburnie base and another in the works for the West End of Kingston, are important steps to preparing Frontenac Paramedics to meet service demand as the population in our area grows larger and skews older.


    Frontenac Paramedic Alisha with École Maple Elementary students in the new truck, Jun 19.


    Click here to learn more about Frontenac Paramedics’ plans for the future.


  • When every second counts 911 campaign

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    Non-emergency 911 calls tie-up resources that should be saving lives. Help reduce demand pressure on emergency responders by making the right call. Dial 911 for medical emergency. Visit 211ontario.ca to find the right services. WhenEverySecondCounts.ca.

  • Marc Goudie assumes Paramedic Chief role, Sep 30

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    New Frontenac Paramedics Chief Marc Goudie received his Chief's epaulettes from now-Chief Emerita Gale Chevalier, September 27. Chief Goudie officially assumes the role of Frontenac Paramedics Chief / Director of Emergency and Transportation Services County of Frontenac today, September 30.

    Click here to read more about Chief Goudie.

    Click here to follow Chief Goudie on X.

    It was all part of a group of ceremonies held in Kingston, September 27.

    Frontenac Paramedics Chief Emerita Gale Chevalier made her ceremonial last call at the same ceremony.

    Supt. Jeremie Hurtubise, who assumes the role of Deputy Chief of Performance Standards, recieved his Deputy Chief's epaulettes from Chief Goudie that same day.

    Shauna Dunn officially recieved her Superintendent epaulettes from DC Hurtubise, too, as she assumes the role of Superintendent - Performance Standards.

  • ORH study update on paramedic service demand projections recieved by Frontenac County Council

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    ORH Senior Consultant Hannah Mayes-Frennett delivered an update to the 2019 ORH 10-year Paramedic Human Resources and Facilities Master Plan for Frontenac Paramedics to Frontenac County Council, September 18.

    An update to the 2019 10-year report was necessary to adapt it to new and unexpected changes over the last five years in call volumes, unit hour utilization (UHU) figures, response times, and optimal locations for future paramedic stations. The report will be used to inform Frontenac County Council budget decisions.

    Click here to read the updated ORH report.

    Click here to read the 2019 ORH 10-year Paramedic Human Resources and Facilities Master Plan.

    And watch video Mayes-Frennett's report to Council below.


  • Next Deputy Chief of Performance Standards appointed

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    Jeremie Hurtubise, Frontenac Paramedics Superintendent of Performance Standards, will assume the role of Deputy Chief of Performance Standards on September 30.

    Frontenac Paramedics Deputy Chief of Performance Standards, Jeremie Hurtubise.Supt. Hurtubise is an advanced care paramedic who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position.

    He started his career with James Bay Ambulance Service (now Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Paramedic Services). He later joined Canadian Helicopters Ltd. as a flight paramedic and served subsequently as base supervisor with James Bay Ambulance Service.

    Supt. Hurtubise then relocated to Eastern Ontario where he joined Frontenac Paramedics and Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service. He rose to serve as Frontenac Paramedics’ Acting Superintendent of Operations and Performance Standards before being promoted to Superintendent of Performance Standards, Community Paramedicine.

    He is involved with Frontenac Paramedics Peer Support Team, serves as a student preceptor, and onboards new Frontenac Paramedics staff. He is a Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario (RPPEO) facilitator, and a Canadian College of Health Leaders-certified LEADS specialist.

    Supt. Hurtubise will soon complete requirements for his Master of Arts in Leadership (Health Specialization) at Royal Roads University.

    Supt. Hurtubise becomes Deputy Chief as current Deputy Chief Marc Goudie assumes the role of Paramedic Chief, and as current Paramedic Chief Gale Chevalier retires after more than 30 years of service.

    www.FrontenacParamedics.ca

    www.engagefrontenac.ca/frontenac-paramedics

    www.FrontenacCounty.ca

  • Next Frontenac Paramedics Chief appointed

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    GLENBURNIE, ON – Marc Goudie, Frontenac Paramedics Deputy Chief of Performance Standards, has been appointed Paramedic Chief/Director, Emergency and Transportation Services for the County of Frontenac effective September 30, 2024.

    “DC Goudie is eminently qualified, experienced, and equipped to lead Frontenac Paramedics into this next chapter as Chief,” says Frontenac County CAO Kevin Farrell. “He is already a great asset to Frontenac Paramedics and Frontenac County. I look forward to working with him into the future and extend my congratulations to him on this next step in his career.”

    DC Goudie holds a Master of Health Management from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University; a Master of Arts, Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University; a Bachelor of Education, Adult Education, from Brock University; and a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Sociology, from the University of Ottawa.

    Marc Goudie, Deputy Chief of Performance Standards, Frontenac Paramedics, will assume the role of Paramedic Chief September 30.

    He began his career as a Primary Care Paramedic, and achieved Advanced Care Paramedic credentials. He has worked previously as a Facilitator with the Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario, and a Professor of the Primary Care Paramedic Program at St. Lawrence College.

    DC Goudie served part-time as a Superintendent/Supervisor with Frontenac Paramedics and Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Services before assuming his current role with Frontenac Paramedics in 2018. He is also an Inspector on the Ambulance Service Review Team with the Ontario Ministry of Health.

    DC Goudie succeeds current Chief Gale Chevalier, who will retire after more than 30 years in paramedicine in Kingston.

    “Lifelong learning is increasingly integral to our evolving profession and DC Goudie has strong aptitude and skill as a student, facilitator, instructor, and teacher,” says Chief Chevalier. “Those qualities make him extremely valuable to the Frontenac Paramedics leadership team as is evidenced by his leadership of the Community Paramedicine Program so far. DC Goudie is well equipped to be Chief, and I know I’ll be leaving Frontenac Paramedics in capable hands.”

    www.FrontenacParamedics.ca
    www.FrontenacCounty.ca
    www.engagefrontenac.ca/frontenac-paramedics

  • New Frontenac Paramedics base opens in Glenburnie

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    Elected officials, Frontenac Paramedics, emergency system partners, Frontenac County staff, and friends gathered in Glenburnie this morning to officially open the new Glenburnie Frontenac Paramedics base.

    “It takes years of planning, cooperation, and commitment among funding partners and organizers to bring a new paramedics base to fruition,” says Frances Smith, Warden of Frontenac County. “This new building is a significant step toward equipping Frontenac Paramedics to serve the residents of Frontenac County and Kingston into the future.”

    The opening event included remarks from Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan, Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu, Parliamentary Assistant to MP Mark Gerretsen Molly Brant, City of Kingston Councillor Conny Glenn, Warden Smith, Frontenac County CAO Kevin Farrell, and Frontenac Paramedics Chief Gale Chevalier.

    There was an inaugural flag raising, ribbon cutting, and ceremonial Frontenac Paramedics first call followed by tours of the new base and a reception.

    Pictured are Parliamentary Assistant to MP Mark Gerretsen Molly Brant, Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan, Frontenac County Councillor Ray Leonard, Frontenac County Councillor Fred Fowler, Frontenac County Warden Frances Smith, Frontenac County Deputy Warden Ron Vandewal, Frontenac Paramedics Chief Gale Chevalier. Frontenac County Councillor Gerry Lichty, City of Kingston Councillor Conny Glenn, Frontenac County Councillor Bill Saunders, Frontenac County CAO Kevin Farrell, Frontenac County staff Brieanna McEathron.

    “Finding the financial resources, the land, and political support from all levels of government to then actually build a paramedics base is no joke,” says Frontenac Paramedics Chief Gale Chevalier. “As a project, it’s very hard work with many moving parts and constantly shifting priorities. We still have a lot of work to do to properly equip paramedics in Frontenac and across Eastern Ontario for the future.”

    The new two-bay station, located at 2129 Battersea Rd. in Glenburnie, allows Frontenac Paramedics to accommodate more ambulances and on-duty paramedics as demand for emergency medical service continues to grow in our region. The new station, located five minutes north of the Montreal St exit at Highway 401, will primarily serve the Rideau Heights and Montreal St. areas of Kingston, the Highway 401 corridor, and rapidly developing areas of the Township of South Frontenac.

    The new Glenburnie Frontenac Paramedics base was officially opened and activated, July 5.

    Learn more about Frontenac Paramedics’ Plan for the Future.

  • Paramedic Services Week - Friends family and personal relations

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    For the final day of Paramedic Services Week we celebrate the friends, family, and personal relations among professional paramedics. These are the people who support individual paramedics and their work everywhere. They, perhaps more than any other factor, help us help you.

    Colleagues, friends, and family of Frontenac Paramedic Michael Pasch on the occasion of his last call after more than 30 years in paramedicine, May 2023. Paramedicine is a challenging and rewarding career but it can come with higher than baseline rates of burnout and post-traumatic stress. Frontenac Paramedics, like most paramedic services, provide multiple formal supports for emotional- and mental-health hygiene and treatment among paramedics but experience, intuition, and research shows what a strong effect social support has on mental health.

    Frontenac Paramedics DCs Dean and Marc pay a social visit with Kate, Maggie, Pat, and Rosie - the Joslin family - after Maggie and Rosie dressed as an ambulance with paramedic and a doctor for Halloween, November 2022.

    The informal support and validation that comes from positive familial relationships, friendships, personal and professional partnerships, and interpersonal connections built through outside interests make all the difference.

    Supt. van Hartingsveldt at the barbershop with Frontenac Paramedics friends and colleagues after donating his moustache of more than 30 years to a charitable cause, December 2021.

    Friends and colleagues from Frontenac Paramedics, Kingston Central Ambulance Communications Centre, Kingston Police, and more at the Kingston Emergency Services Ride for Pride, June 2023.
    Frontenac Paramedics and their families in the Walk to End ALS, June 2021.

    So, you see, everyone - paramedics and otherwise - who supports each individual paramedic whether they know it or not, helps us help you.

    Three-year-old Jude Leyton rests in hospital after returning to his family from three-and-a-half days lost and alone in South Frontenac, April 2021.



Page last updated: 10 Jan 2026, 08:25 AM