Ambulance & Paramedics

Individuals who suffer a sudden medical emergency may be taken to the nearest hospital by land ambulance. These are emergency motor vehicles with flashing lights and sirens. Depending on the nature of the emergency, ambulances may move through traffic very quickly.

Ambulances are staffed by workers called paramedics who are trained to provide basic medical care to patients. This may include administering certain life-saving medications.

Patients who are taken to hospital by ambulance can expect to receive a bill for a portion of the cost and the Ontario government pays the rest. Patients will be charged the full amount if a hospital considers the use of an ambulance medically unnecessary.

In Kingston, ambulances transport patients to the Kingston General Hospital emergency department on King Street. The hospital accepts patients from other communities who are flown to Kingston General by an air ambulance helicopter. Some patients from Kingston may also be flown to other communities for medical care.

The landing pad for the Kingston air ambulance is located on King Street in front of Kingston General Hospital.

To call an ambulance, call 9-1-1 and remain on the line to answer questions from the operator. You can ask for service in your own language by speaking the name in English. The 9-1-1 operators will find an interpreter who speaks your language.