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Home My WebLink AboutFIR 02-26Report to Council Report Number: FIR 02-26 Date: February 23, 2026 From: Steve Boyd Fire Chief Subject: Medical Priority Dispatch System and Tiered Response Implementation Update File: A-1440-001-25 Recommendation: 1. That Report FIR 02-26 regarding the Medical Priority Dispatch System and Tiered Response Implementation Update be received for information. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to inform Council of a change in emergency medical dispatch protocols within Durham Region and the resulting operational alignment undertaken by Pickering Fire Services (PFS). The Durham Provincial Ambulance Communications Centre (DPACC) has announced a transition to the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), effective May 21, 2025. This evidence-based triage model will replace the outdated Dispatch Priority Card Index II (DPCI II) system, improving prioritization and dispatch accuracy. In alignment with the MPDS rollout, and consistent with practices adopted by neighbouring Durham municipalities, PFS will transition from a Level C to a Level A Tiered Response Criteria (Attachment 1) by March 1, 2026. This will ensure that our resources are dispatched only when medically necessary, reducing over-prioritization and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. This report is provided to Council for information only, in accordance with the delegated authority framework established under the Fire Department Establishing and Regulated By-law No. 8183/25. Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community; and Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships. Financial Implications: There are no financial implications associated with this report. Discussion: The purpose of this report is to inform Council of an operational adjustment by PFS to its medical Tiered Response Criteria, transitioning from Level C to Level A by March 1, 2026. This adjustment follows the regional implementation of the MPDS by DPACC, which became effective May 21, 2025. The implementation and ongoing administration of MPDS is FIR 02-26 February 23, 2026 Page 2 the responsibility of DPACC, and PFS¶VUROHLVOLPLWHG WR RSHUDWLRQDODOLJQPHQWZLWKWKH established dispatch framework. MPDS will improve the accuracy of emergency medical call triaging, reduce unnecessary fire service deployments, align Pickering with regional best practices, and ensure the efficient and effective use of fire department resources. In essence, this practice is about modernizing how PFS responds to medical emergencies in a way that is better aligned with the needs of the community and regional partners. Furthermore, the implementation of MPDS supports the objectives outlined in the &LW\¶V"Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law," ensuring that the department operates efficiently and effectively in delivering emergency services to the community. This change also DOLJQVZLWK5HFRPPHQGDWLRQRIWKH&LW\¶V)LUH0DVWHU3ODQZKLFKVWDWHV ³Conduct regular UHYLHZRIWKH PHGLFDODVVLVWDQFHLQFLGHQWVUHVSRQGHG WR DQGZRUNZLWK3)6¶VPHGLFDOGLUHFWRU and Durham Region Paramedic Services to ensure the Tiered response agreement has PFS UHVSRQGLQJ WRWKH DSSURSULDWHLQFLGHQWV´ A. Background and Context DPACC formally implemented MPDS across Durham Region effective May 21, 2025, following regional planning, system configuration, and coordination with municipal fire services. MPDS is an internationally recognized medical dispatch triage system developed by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch, in use globally and provincially, including by Toronto (since 1992), Niagara (2006), Peel/Mississauga (2022), and Halton Region. Historically, Durham Region used the DPCI II, which oversimplifies prioritization into just four codes. The result has been excessive classification of calls as high priority, leading to over- utilization of fire resources. In contrast, MPDS uses over 1,800 detailed determinants, categorizing calls into six levels of urgency, with five levels reserved for emergencies. This allows dispatchers to send the right help at the right time, which ensuring better use of both fire and EMS services. B. Implications for Pickering Fire Services PFS currently operates under a Level C Fire Tiered Response Criteria, which requires dispatch for a broad range of medical emergencies, including many that may not require immediate fire department intervention. Under the proposed Level A criteria, fire units would only be dispatched for: x cardiac arrest x respiratory arrest x motor vehicle collision with EMS on scene x unconscious patients x profuse bleeding x acute chest pain and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing where paramedic response time exceeds ten minutes FIR 02-26 February 23, 2026 Page 3 This transition will reduce unnecessary dispatches, prolong apparatus longevity, and mitigate burnout among fire personnel, while still ensuring rapid response to critical emergencies. Currently, only the City of Pickering remains on Level C. Other Durham Region services including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Clarington have successfully transitioned to Level A. 3LFNHULQJ¶VDOLJQPHQWZLWKUHJLRQDOSUDFWLFHVZLOOHQVXUHFRQVLVWHQW SXEOLFVDIHW\GHOLYHU\DQG reduce cross-jurisdictional confusion during mutual aid. C. Operational Readiness and Coordination DPACC is responsible for the implementation, administration, and ongoing operation of MPDS. PFS has worked collaboratively with DPACC and Durham Region Paramedic Services to align operational response criteria within the regional dispatch framework. This approach is consistent with Section 14 (Delegated Authority) of the City of Pickering Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law No. 8183/25, which states: ³14.1 The core services listed in Appendix µA¶ may be updated from time to time based upon operational needs and circumstances with the approval of the Fire Chief and the Chief Administrative Officer. Any changes to the core services will be communicated to Council in writing from the Fire Chief copying the Chief Administrative Officer and WKH&LW\&OHUN´ This report fulfills the requirement in the By-law for the Fire Chief and the Chief Administrative Officer to communicate these operational changes to Council in writing. The transition to MPDS and a corresponding adjustment in Tiered Response Criteria from Level C to Level A represents a necessary evolution in emergency service delivery for the City of Pickering. These changes will improve patient outcomes through sophisticated call triaging; ensure responsible deployment of fire resources; enhance inter-agency coordination across Durham Region; and align with the City's strategic goals and legislative frameworks. This report is provided for information only to ensure Council is aware of: x the regional implementation of MPDS x 3)6¶VRSHUDWLRQDODOLJQPHQWIURP /HYHO&WR /HYHO$ x the governance framework under which these changes have been implemented These measures support patient safety, responsible resource deployment, and continued alignment with regional partners and legislative authority. Attachment: 1. Fire Tiered Response Criteria FIR 02-26 February 23, 2026 Page 4 Prepared/Approved/Endorsed By: Original Signed By Steve Boyd Fire Chief SB:jm Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Original Signed By Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Attachment 1 to Report FIR 02-26 FIRE TIERED RESPONSE CRITERIA LEVEL A LEVEL B LEVEL C LEVEL D Immediate tiered response request for: x Respiratory Arrest (Absence of Breathing) x Cardiac Arrest (Absence of Pulse) x Unconsciousness x Motor Vehicle Collision with EMS attending x Profuse and Uncontrolled Bleeding (not including nose, vaginal, rectal or catheter site bleeds and not at LTC, medical facility and/or other on-site EFR locations). x When paramedic response time is anticipated to be greater than ten (10) minutes for the following emergency requests for service: x Acute Chest Pain and/or Shortness of Breath / Difficulty Breathing (not on calls originating from LTC, medical facility or other on-site EFR location). Immediate tiered response request (not on calls originating from LTC, medical facility or other on-site EFR location) for: x Respiratory Arrest (Absence of Breathing) x Cardiac Arrest (Absence of Pulse) x Motor Vehicle Collision with EMS attending x Tiered within 1 minute of paramedic arriving at a LTC, medical facility or EFR site and paramedics requesting FD to assist with an active resuscitation and transport. x FD will be tiered within 1 minute of paramedics requesting an emergency / non- emergency patient lift assist and no other paramedic resources are readily available to assist x CACC shall provide all necessary call details/information during the initial and follow-up notification(s) to FD to be consistent with information provided to paramedics x Upon notification to the CACC an on-duty officer for FD may initiate a 30 minute medical tiered response suspension, after such time, normal tiered response practices resume Immediate tiered response request for: x Respiratory Arrest (Absence of Breathing) x Cardiac Arrest (Absence of Pulse) x Unconsciousness x Motor Vehicle Collision with EMS attending x Profuse and Uncontrolled Bleeding x Acute Chest Pain and/or Shortness of Breath / Difficulty Breathing Pickering & Whitby do not respond to Long-Term Care Homes or Medical Facilities 8QOHVVLW¶VD FRQILUPHG Cardiac Arrest i.e. CPR in progress Immediate tiered response request for: x Respiratory Arrest (Absence of Breathing) x Cardiac Arrest (Absence of Pulse) x Unconsciousness x Motor Vehicle Collision with EMS attending Tiered within 1 minute of paramedic arriving at a LTC, medical facility or EFR site or higher level of care and requesting FD to assist with an active resuscitation and transport. x Respiratory Arrest (Absence of Breathing) x Cardiac Arrest (Absence of Pulse) FD will be tiered within 1 minute of paramedics requesting an emergency / non-emergency patient lift assist and no other paramedic resources in Brock TP are readily available to assist When paramedic response time is anticipated to be greater than fifteen (15) minutes for ALL PRIORITY 4 CALLS within Brock Township City of Oshawa Town of Ajax Clarington TP Scugog TP Uxbridge TP *Great Blue Heron Casino has EFR on site City of Pickering Town of Whitby Brock Township *The municipalities of Clarington, Whitby, Scugog, Uxbridge & Brock TP are dispatched by Oshawa Fire Service