THUNDER BAY — The City of Thunder Bay is launching an operational review of Superior North Emergency Medical Services.
It will hire a consultant to conduct the review and develop a strategic plan for Superior North EMS for the years 2020 through 2030.
A Request For Proposals states that the city hopes the study will identify "opportunities for cost containment."
The identical phrase was used in an RFP earlier this year to conduct an operational review of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. The outcome of that study is pending.
Superior North EMS paramedics respond to over 34,000 calls a year.
The city is the designated operator of the service, which is headquartered in Thunder Bay but also serves 14 municipalities and 14 First Nations across the District of Thunder Bay.
According to the RFP, the study will identify any opportunities to reduce call demands, including the provision of non-emergency medical transportation services, "and provide recommendations on how to reduce SNEMS involvement" in that area.
It will also review the location of the existing 18 EMS stations, taking into consideration predicted demand for service.
The tentative completion date for the study is March 2020.
