Hamilton Paramedics using green technology towards reducing Hamilton’s carbon footprint

HAMILTON, ON – With approximately 2.5 million kilometers traveled each year, Hamilton Paramedic Service (HPS) will evaluate whether the addition of two new Demers™ ambulances outfitted with hybrid regenerative braking technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the City’s overall carbon footprint.

Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle by converting its kinetic energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed. In addition to improving gas mileage, it is anticipated that implementing this technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10.7 tons per ambulance per year.

Approved by Hamilton City Council in 2019, this initiative will allow HPS to support the City’s vision of delivering services in a manner that limits negative impacts to the air, water, soil, flora and fauna, by ensuring the needs of today do not negatively impact the future.

HPS’s ongoing focus on innovation, as it relates to vehicle technology, also aligns with the recently approved term of Council priority of climate change. This term of Council priority targets the annual reduction of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions to equal net-zero emission before 2050. As call volumes continue to increase, as a Paramedic service, it is vital that we remain committed to continuing to deliver outstanding pre-hospital care to our community and visitors, in a safe, efficient, sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

“The ability to move forward with this important environmental initiative is welcomed, it will allow us to contribute to the health of Hamilton citizens while still providing high quality ambulance service.” - Michael Sanderson, Chief, Hamilton Paramedic Service

Quick facts

• In 2018, HPS travelled 2.5 million kms, representing a response area of over 1,138 square kms.
• HPS is funded 50/50 with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the City’s capital budget.
• There are currently 370 front line Paramedics in service.
• In 2019, HPS completed over 87,000 responses.
• Call volumes in 2020 are anticipated to increase by approximately 4 per cent.
• The system generates 100 per cent of its own electricity during deceleration. The new system leaves all manufacturer systems intact, and therefore does not impact the vehicles performance, requiring no additional training and allowing this vehicle to be entered into service with no disruption of service delivery.