New emergency dispatch system coming to Bruce County

A new triage process will help to direct emergency resources where they are most needed.

Beginning next month, Bruce County residents who call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency will notice a new triage process designed to help direct emergency resources where they are most needed.

Starting October 14, 2026, Bruce County Paramedic Services will begin following the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), the industry standard used by dispatch centres around the world. Already in use in several Ontario communities, the expansion of MPDS is part of the Ontario government's Your Health Plan. The system helps dispatchers prioritize calls based on medical need and send the right response at the right time.

What to expect when calling 9-1-1

Under the enhanced process, dispatchers will ask callers additional questions about the emergency. These questions help determine how urgent the situation is and what response is required. This assessment does not delay care. In many cases, the dispatching of responders will be underway while the caller continues to answer questions.

Callers may also receive instructions to help before paramedics arrive. Instructions may include how to perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator (AED), help a choking person, assist with childbirth or control bleeding.

Medical calls will be prioritized based on urgency, with the highest priority given to emergencies such as cardiac arrest, stroke and serious injuries.

The dispatcher may ask the caller to stay on the line, or there may be a follow-up call while waiting for responders. This helps dispatchers monitor the situation and adjust the response if a patient's condition changes.

"This enhanced process will improve patient care, support our frontline responders, and help us make the best use of emergency resources across Bruce County," says Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau.

Benefits of the enhanced system include:

  • Faster response times: Prioritizes the most urgent situations, improving patient outcomes.
  • Better use of resources: Helps match emergency services to the level of need.
  • Improved safety: Reduces unnecessary lights-and-sirens driving and lowers traffic-related risks.
  • Consistent care: Uses standardized protocols to ensure consistent assessment of emergency calls.

Why this change is being made

The London Central Ambulance Communications Centre, which dispatches Bruce County paramedics, is moving from the Dispatch Priority Card Index (DPCI) to the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). Under the current system, some lower-priority calls may receive higher priority than needed. This can make fewer paramedics available for more serious calls.

While MPDS improves how 9-1-1 assesses and prioritizes medical calls, it does not change how hospitals triage patients when they arrive at the emergency department.

Residents can learn more on the Medical Priority Dispatch System webpage.