The Haliburton and Tory Hill paramedic stations are in need of major repairs, service director Michael Slatter told County council May 13.
The paramedic chief said council received a report Oct. 31 last year on the conditions of the two bases. He said there are issues that need to be addressed in the immediate and short term.
With the Haliburton base, at 6 South St. by the fire hall, Slatter said long-term plans should include construction of a new facility – elsewhere due to storm-water drainage issues. He said some of the problems are the size of the building, the washrooms, and water supply.
In the interim, he said the main entrance would have to be modified to widen the door with correct hardware; the washrooms adjusted; and the need for proper ventilation.
“Based on our visual review of the property, we are of the opinion that total cumulative expenditures will be in the range of $497,000 in the immediate (2026) and short-term (2027 to 2031) for the building and site to maintain the property in a stateof-good repair,” Slatter said in a written report to last Wednesday’s meeting.
As for Tory Hill, Slatter said that for the long-term, they should also look at a new facility. He said it’s too small, only has one washroom, they can’t drink the water due to radon, it’s not accessible, and showers are sub-par.
He said, “based on our visual review of the property, we are of the opinion that total cumulative expenditures will be in the range of $148,000 in the immediate (2026) and short-term (2027 to 2031) for the building and site to maintain the property in a stateof-good repair.”
Annual report
In his annual report, also tabled at the meeting, Slatter told councillors the call volume had decreased four per cent in 2025, from 2024. He largely attributed this to the CT scanner at Haliburton hospital, requiring fewer out-of-town transfers. Without CT, he said the call volume would have increased 26 per cent.
For the majority of response times, he said the service met its targets for getting to patients in a timely manner.
Slatter added there had been many service changes, with a new chief (himself) and two deputy chiefs starting in 2025; along with front-line commanders in December of last year.
It was noted overall call volumes had increased by 20 per cent from 2020-25.
Last year, paramedics made approximately 4,100 patient contacts, ranging from weakness and, or dizziness, breathing problems, cardiac problems, to traumatic events. Slatter said the team was involved in two cardiac arrest saves, provided more than 20,000 interventions, including medication administration, stroke and STEMI assessments, assisting respirations, and delivering a baby.
“These events can take place anywhere from inside a residence, a public space, or in one of the many remote areas of Haliburton County.” He noted that in some cases, they walked several kilometres, rode snowmobiles, ATVs and boats. He also touted the importance of the community paramedicine program. May 17-23 is paramedic services week in Haliburton County.
