Hamilton: Better or Worse? Code zero ambulance incidents
CBC News | Posted: September 9, 2014 10:09 AM | Last Updated: September 9, 2014
Numbers have risen dramatically since 2008
Better or Worse #7: This is the seventh instalment in a month-long municipal election series of infographics examining Hamilton's progress over recent years.
Hamilton has a problem with ambulances – sometimes, there just aren’t enough to go around.
The number of “code zero” incidents, which is when “one or less” transport ambulances are available to help on emergency calls has jumped significantly in the last few years.
On average, Hamilton paramedics have a code zero every day and a half, according to Michael Sanderson, chief of Hamilton EMS.
Here’s a look at how the numbers break down:
There are some positives on the horizon, however. Sanderson says he is preparing a report for city council on code zero instances for the end of September, and 2014's numbers appear to be trending lower than last year.