Emergency response looks different in northern communities, where longer distances and geography can create unique challenges in accessing timely care.

Since 2020, a Paramedic Response Unit (PRU) has supported northern areas by arriving quickly to begin patient care, often ahead of a transporting ambulance travelling from the city.

The Sault North Pilot builds on this approach by positioning a transporting ambulance directly in the Sault North area. This helps reduce reliance on long-distance responses and improves access to timely ambulance transport when it is needed.

At the same time, a PRU has been repositioned within the city to support areas with higher call volumes and maintain overall system responsiveness.

Using existing resources, the pilot is designed to bring emergency care closer to where it is needed while gathering real-world data to help inform future paramedic service planning.