EMS units on "coverage"

[acurayyz]

I hear a lot of York/Peel/Simcoe/Durham units on "coverage". I am guessing this just means they are going to be handle any calls in a specific area? Where exactly do the units wait and is there a specific location that they must stay in while covering a certain area? Come to think of it, I have never really seen an EMS unit parked just waiting aimlessly. .

"3235 Code 8 to Richmond Hill" = Unit 3235, you are to go to/cover Richmond Hill.

 

[rv55]

code 8

a code 8 is a coverage call out of the assigned area to cover another area that is short on units. Say for example a city has two stations with two ambulances each (just an example). If both units from station one are sent out on calls, a unit will be moved from station two on a standby to provide coverage at the other station, so this way the area is covered by an equal amount. They usually wait in the other station, if they don't get a call while they are enroute. The only time I've ever heard of a unit sitting on a street corner waiting aimlessly around here is when one of the Middlesex units gets sent to the 401/union road area to provide coverage for St Thomas/Elgin if they get really busy. The entire point is to cut down response times by spreading the units out more effectively.

hope that explains it



rv55

 

[EJB]

It is a common occurance. Where I live in Burlington, specific EMS units are told to head up to a specific area, in my case they are told the cover the Brant & N.Service Road or Guelph and Fairview. They are able to react to calls in the area if needed with good access to the roads to get them there.
In Toronto this is (or was, i dont listen anymore) a common occurance. Being asked to cover "Duff and Eg" or my fave 'Dany and Dany" were everyday occurances

Way back in my Montreal days there always was a EMS unit covering my part of the West End at a Dunkin Donuts (oh how I miss those Donuts, damm Tim Horton!)