Item - 2024.GG17.15

The General Government Committee:   

1. Received the report (October 1, 2024) from the Chief and General Manager, Toronto Paramedic Services for information.

This report responds to the motion brought forward at General Governance Committee on December 6, 2023. The motion requested the Chief, Toronto Paramedic Services to explore the feasibility of purchasing zero-emission ambulance vehicles for future procurement, examine opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of Toronto Paramedic Services operations and name a Climate Champion for Toronto Paramedic Services.

Toronto Paramedic Services provides pre-hospital and out-of-hospital paramedic care in the City of Toronto 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Toronto Paramedic Services responds to over 320,000 emergency calls every year and has 45 stations across the city to serve the emergency medical needs of residents and visitors.

The facility maintenance for these stations is managed by Corporate Real Estate Management. Currently, buildings are the primary source of emissions at Toronto Paramedic Services. These emissions stem mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels for heating. Toronto Paramedic Services works closely with Corporate Real Estate Management and Environment and Climate to examine opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of Toronto Paramedic Services' operations for all current and future facilities.

Toronto Paramedic Services manages the division's fleet of approximately 400 vehicles, made up of ambulances, rapid response / supervisor vehicles, and support vehicles. While there are no electric ambulances that currently meet the Ministry of Health's stringent certification requirements for use in Ontario, Toronto Paramedic Services has installed green technology (anti-idle systems and solar panels) on all ambulances and is replacing end-of-life administrative and non-emergency internal combustion engine vehicles with electric and / or hybrid vehicles. Toronto Paramedic Services continues to evaluate opportunities to green the fleet, including exploring electric ambulances that comply with the Ministry of Health's certification requirements.