The Current Regional System: A Harmonized Approach In September 2023, the Peel Region, which includes the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, handled an astonishing 10,855 emergency calls. Peel's dissolution could mean the regional paramedic service is divided. What impact would this have on patients? Examining the data, it becomes clear that such a fracture would be detrimental to the efficacy and responsiveness of emergency services. Cross-Border Efficiency in Numbers The statistics from this period reveal a seamless integration of services across the two cities. Mississauga crews responded to 5,802 calls, with 281 (5%) in Brampton, while Brampton crews attended 5,053 calls, including 232 (5%) in Mississauga. In total, 513 calls (5% of the region's emergency calls) were serviced by ambulances crossing city borders. Critical Responses: A Closer Look Particularly telling is the nature of these cross-border calls. In Brampton, 179 of the 281 calls attended by Mississauga crews were high-priority. Similarly, in Mississauga, 196 out of the 232 calls handled by Brampton crews were of critical nature. These figures highlight the system's ability to direct resources where they are most needed, regardless of municipal boundaries. The Risks of Segregating Emergency Services Impact on Response Times Splitting the system into city-specific operations could drastically affect response times. Currently, the closest available crew responds to an emergency, ensuring swift medical attention. Before the call resources are moved into place to provide equal coverge across the cities. Dividing the system would limit this flexibility, leading to delayed responses, especially for high-priority calls where every second is crucial. Resource Allocation Challenges A segregated system could also lead to uneven resource distribution. One city might face a shortage of ambulances at a given time while nearby resources in the adjacent city remain unavailable due to administrative boundaries. This inefficiency could have dire consequences in life-threatening situations. Currently, the region maintains a coverage cushion and deploys it where it is needed. Separating the services would require each municipality to maintain its own cushion of coverage. The Cost of Redundancy Creating separate systems for each city would likely result in increased administrative and operational costs. The current unified approach allows for shared resources and streamlined management, offering a more cost-effective solution. Conclusion The data from September 2023 in the Peel Region clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and necessity of a unified regional emergency response system. It highlights how cross-border integration ensures the best possible outcomes for the residents of Mississauga, Caledon, and Brampton. In considering policy changes, it's imperative to prioritize the health and safety of the community over the simplicity of administrative boundaries. Maintaining and enhancing the regional system is not just a matter of operational efficiency; it's a matter of saving lives.