Emergency Medical Services

Region of Waterloo Emergency Medical Services (EMS) works in partnership with the Cambridge Central Ambulance Communications Centre operated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. EMS gets its resources dispatched and an orderly, quick response from the local Fire and Police through this centre ensure the quickest possible response to life-threatening emergencies.

About Region of Waterloo EMS

• Employs 190 Primary/Advanced Care Paramedics and support staff.
• Operates a fleet of 27 vehicles including:
  • 19 Ambulances
  • Six Emergency Response Units
  • One Emergency Support Unit
  • Three Multi-casualty Incident Trailers
  • One Fleet Support Vehicle
  • One CBRN Trailer
• Has nine stations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, St. Jacobs and Baden.
• Serves the population (approximately 534,900) and geographic area (1,382 sq/kms) of Waterloo Region.
• Serviced 35,000 patient carrying call requests for ambulance service during 2010.
• Reached 90 per cent of all emergency calls in less than 11 minutes 45 seconds during 2009.

Amanda Bears

Since 1992, the Paramedics of Waterloo Region have distributed teddy bears to children who are ill, injured, or otherwise under stress.

The bears were originally provided through the "Good Bears of the World" charity, but after the group disbanded the funding continued to be provided by three local Jaycee's clubs.

Today, the Lakeshore Village and Country Hills Optimist Clubs continue this valuable program distributing 150 bears each year to children in need.

Originally, the bears were called "Bearamedics". In July 2003 a dedicated young paramedic, 21 year old Amanda Finch, died suddenly. Amanda was one of the most sensitive and patient-focused paramedics which is why everyone agreed to rename the bears "Amanda Bears" in her memory.

Ambulance Station Locations

EMS Headquarters - Setting the standard for Energy Conservation

Region of Waterloo leads the way in energy conservation with its EMS headquarters and Fleet Centre. Read more about this innovative project and green building technology used.

Contact Information

Region of Waterloo Emergency Medical Services
120 Maple Grove Road
Cambridge, Ontario N3H 4R6
Tel. 519-650-8295
Fax. 519-650-3855

John Prno, Director Emergency Medical Services
jprno@regionofwaterloo.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

To find answers to questions such as "how much does an ambulance ride cost", "how do I become a paramedic" and more, check the Frequently Asked Questions sheet.