Huron County, Ontario – Beginning October 14, 2026, emergency medical dispatch for 9-1-1 calls in Huron County will transition to the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) to improve the deployment of paramedic resources to meet patient needs by matching resources with the clinical situation and prioritizing the most urgent calls to 9-1-1.
While the system is new to Huron County, it has already been successfully implemented in many communities across Ontario. Huron County Paramedic Services expects the transition to have minimal impact on local services or on the experience of most residents calling 9-1-1. Under the system, residents calling 9-1-1 for paramedic assistance may be asked additional questions by emergency medical dispatchers to help assess the patient’s condition and determine the appropriate response.
“For most residents, calling 9-1-1 for a medical emergency will continue to work much as it does today,” said Jeff Horseman, Chief of Huron County Paramedic Services. “Callers may notice that dispatchers ask a few more questions. These questions help dispatchers assess the situation and make sure paramedics are available for the patients who need them most.”
Patients experiencing serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as strokes, heart attacks, severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, and major trauma, will continue to receive the highest priority. For minor and non life-threatening medical needs, response times may vary when paramedic resources are responding to more urgent emergencies. Huron County Paramedic Services will continue to respond to requests for paramedic assistance based on clinical priority.
The Medical Priority Dispatch System is being implemented across Ontario as part of the Province’s ongoing efforts to improve emergency medical dispatch and help patients receive the right care at the right time. The system provides emergency medical dispatchers with internationally recognized medical protocols that support consistent patient assessment and effective deployment of paramedic resources.
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