Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Board Meeting Highlights - September 21, 2026
Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Board Meeting Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by the MLPS Board at its meetings. MLPS Board Highlights are not an official record of Board proceedings. To view official meeting agendas and minutes, please visit Agendas and Minutes.
Survivors Day 2026 set for October 8 at MLPS Headquarters
Staff provided the Board with details on the 2026 Survivors Day event. The annual event brings together survivors of cardiac arrest and their families with the paramedics, emergency communications personnel, firefighters, police officers, healthcare partners and citizen bystanders who played a role in each patient’s care. This year, more than 41 cardiac arrest survivors and their families have been invited to reunite with the emergency responders who helped save their lives at MLPS Headquarters on October 8.
The event highlights the importance of the chain of survival, recognizing that saving a life depends on coordinated efforts from family members or bystanders providing CPR or defibrillation, emergency dispatchers, first responders, paramedics, and hospital teams. It’s a meaningful opportunity for paramedics and other first responders who often never learn about the long-term impact of their work.
For more information, read the Survivors Day 2026 report.
Community Responder Program aims to improve response to sudden cardiac arrest
The Board received an update on how MLPS is improving the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program by introducing the GoodSAM community responder platform. The platform combines the location of registered automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with the ability to identify and alert nearby registered responders when a suspected cardiac arrest occurs.
The technology alerts registered responders and identifies nearby AEDs when a suspected cardiac arrest is reported, reducing the time to CPR and defibrillation during the critical first minutes of an emergency. GoodSAM builds on the existing PAD program by linking available community resources directly to patients in need, strengthening the chain of survival and expanding the role of citizen responders.
Implementation will include integration with current dispatch systems, AED registration and validation, responder verification and public education. The program will complement existing emergency response services and is expected to be funded within the current PAD program budget, with no additional funding required. Read the Community Responder Program report for more information.
Renovations complete at Lucan Station
MLPS staff highlighted how recently completed renovations at the Lucan Paramedic Station are improving working conditions for frontline staff. The project was approved after a station review found age-related wear and updates that would support modern paramedic operations.
The improvements are an investment in the environment in which frontline paramedics spend a significant portion of their working lives. Paramedic stations function as more than deployment locations. Crews also complete documentation, prepare meals, undertake operational duties, and recover between emergency calls. The renovations were completed in a phased approach to ensure service continuity. Updates include improvements to the kitchen, common areas, staff workspaces, and washrooms and shower facilities. Read the Lucan Station Renovation Completed report for more information.
MLPS supporting employee health and wellness
The Board heard how MLPS is strengthening employee wellness, resilience and recovery through its Workforce FIRST strategy, an integrated approach focused on preventing injuries, supporting recovery and helping staff return to meaningful work.
Over the past year, more than 22 paramedics have successfully returned to employment through a variety of modified-work and accommodation opportunities across the organization. These roles include Community Paramedicine, Education, Clinical Quality Support, Public Access Defibrillation, public engagement initiatives and administrative projects, allowing employees to remain connected to their profession while recovering.
A key part of the strategy is the Stable Patient Transport Unit, launched in December 2025. The program allows paramedics to continue providing patient care through non-emergency transfers while preserving frontline ambulance capacity. The unit can accommodate up to 32 employees annually and has already helped numerous paramedics return to meaningful clinical work.
MLPS continues to invest in mental health, wellness and injury prevention programs, including peer support, resilience training, specialized psychological services and safer workplace equipment. The service is also contributing to provincial research on workforce health and injury prevention.
The Workforce FIRST model reflects MLPS's commitment to supporting its employees, retaining valuable experience, and building a healthy, resilient workforce to continue delivering exceptional patient care. For more information, read the Protecting our People report
The Middlesex County Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Board proceedings.
For more information please contact: @email