Council Seeks Breakdown of Fire Service Medical Call Costs After 449 Responses in 2025
Following 449 medical responses in 2025, Owen Sound Council is requesting a detailed report on supplies, equipment, and personnel costs tied to Fire’s EMS calls.
Owen Sound Council is seeking a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with Fire and Emergency Services responding to medical calls, following discussion of the department’s 2025 annual report.
At its February 12 meeting, the Corporate Services Committee reviewed the 2025 Fire and Emergency Services Annual Report.
The committee later recommended — and Council approved — a direction for staff to bring forward a report in 2026 outlining emergency medical service (EMS) calls attended by Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services, including associated supplies, equipment, and personnel costs.
The request came amid discussion of the number of non-fire calls handled by the department.
1,069 Total Calls in 2025
According to the annual report presented to committee, Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to 1,069 calls in 2025, across 37 distinct types of incidents.
Of those calls:
449 were medical responses
25 were fire calls, with an estimated property loss of $687,000
23 were outdoor fires with no loss reported
71 were pre-fire condition calls
69 were hazard calls
86 were rescue calls
62 were motor vehicle collisions
50 were categorized as other types of responses
The report also identified a collision hotspot at 10th Street and 4th Avenue East, where four collisions were recorded in 2025.
In addition to emergency responses, the department completed more than 1,400 inspections, including care facilities, homes, stores, offices, industrial properties, and construction sites.
Future Report on EMS Responses
During committee discussion, members raised questions about the volume of medical calls attended by Fire Services.
The approved motion directs staff to bring forward a future report in 2026 that will outline:
The types of EMS calls attended by Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services
The time spent responding to those calls
Associated supplies, equipment, and personnel costs
Council also received the 2025 Fire and Emergency Services Annual Report for information.
No changes to service levels were approved at this time.
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