Superior North EMS will be involved in the upcoming city council meeting on Monday.

Councillors will be considering whether or not to increase the amount of ambulances and paramedics on the road.

Chief of the Superior North EMS Wayne Gates states what he is hoping for during Monday’s meeting.

“The expansion I’m looking at, currently we have what we call two eight-hour cars, that only run five days a week,” explains Gates. “One car does a Monday to Friday shift while the other car car does an evening shift of Tuesday to Saturday. My ask with council is I’m looking to expand those cars into a 12 hour shift that will run seven-days a week.”

Gates goes on to explain the need for more paramedics for Superior North EMS.

“Because of our aging population, we always have know that will be a driver,” says Gates. “On top of that now, we’re being hit with the addiction and mental health challenges that we’re having in our communities as well.”

As of July 23, there have been 14 fatal overdoses in Thunder Bay.

Superior North EMS has also been seeing an increase in Code Blacks. Gates explains what this is and why it is so concerning.

“It essentially means all my city units are tied up on calls, and we don’t have anyone available immediately should a 911 call commence.”

With so many calls being time sensitive, this is a considerable issue.

The expansion would see four more paramedics brought on.