What happens when you call 911
When you call 911 for a medical emergency, Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances respond and time is of the essence. That is why it’s important to call only in emergencies and look for other options when a health-care crisis doesn’t require immediate attention. Call 911 when an injury or illness could cost someone’s life or ability to function without rapid medical intervention.
Here are some symptoms for which you should call 911:
- loss of consciousness
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness
- persistent, severe chest pain
- sudden breathing difficulty or shortness of breath
- fractured or broken bones
- uncontrolled bleeding
- a sudden, severe headache or vision problems
- sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg
- sudden severe pain
- severe burns or allergic reactions
Essex-Windsor EMS works closely with the Central Ambulance Communications Centre, local hospitals and other responders to ensure ambulances are available when emergencies happen. When ambulances are tied up with non-emergency calls, this becomes more challenging. How can you help ensure paramedics will be available to attend to the most seriously ill and injured?
Here are options you can use for a non-emergency health crisis:
- Contact your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic.
- Set up a virtual appointment with a physician using the Urgent Care Ontario website, a service available to residents of Southwestern Ontario.
- Call 211 to find out about health care services in Windsor and Essex County.
- Use alternate transportation to go to a hospital emergency room.
- Visit Health Connect Ontario or call 811 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to provide your OHIP number and all information is confidential.
Essex-Windsor EMS is encouraging residents to Make The Right Call by following the advice of health-care professionals and taking appropriate actions when they experience health-care crises.
What's new
Watch here for updates about what we are doing and important messages for the community.
Land Ambulance Response Time Performance Plan (Essex County Council Highlights for Sept. 18, 2024)
2025 Pre-Budget Stretcher Procurement Approval (Essex County Council Highlights for Sept. 18, 2024)
Mid-Year Status Update to Essex County Council (July 17, 2024)
Essex-Windsor EMS Welcomes 20 New Paramedics (May 31, 2024)
Survivor Day Celebrates Lives Saved in 2023 (May 24, 2024)
Essex-Windsor EMS Launches Defibrillator Awareness and Mapping Campaign (April 18, 2024)
Paramedic Initiates Outreach to Lifeguards (Jan. 23, 2024)
2024 Budget Approved by Essex County Council (Jan. 17, 2024)
Essex-Windsor EMS Hosts Peer Support Training (Dec. 14, 2023)
Paramedics and Nurses Recognized for Extraordinary Personal Actions (Dec. 12, 2023)
Essex-Windsor EMS Assists with Distributing Food Donation (Dec. 8, 2023)
New Paramedics Welcomed to Essex-Windsor EMS (Nov. 6, 2023)
EMS Staffing Increased and New Vehicles Approved (Nov. 1, 2023, Essex County Council Highlights)
Essex-Windsor EMS has a New Station in Kingsville (Sept. 2023)
Justin Lammers Named the Next Chief of Essex-Windsor EMS (Sept. 20, 2023)
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