Island EMS unveils new base in O'Leary, keeping paramedic services in the community

A new base for paramedics in the western P.E.I. community of O'Leary has finally risen from the ashes after an electrical fire claimed the original building nearly two years ago. 

The new Island EMS station in O'Leary is located at 25 Willow Ave., on the same footprint as the one that burned in late 2023. 

James Orchard, the company's general manager, said the fact that the base is staying in the town is a comfort for residents. 

"There was worry, of course, in the community of the base being relocated outside of the community," Orchard told CBC News after the company held a grand opening for the building on Wednesday.  

"[It's] really quite a great day to be able to show the community that Island EMS is here in O'Leary for the long haul and just really provide the paramedics with a modern working space." 

The new base has twice as much room as the old one, which was a repurposed house and garage.

It has extra office and living space as well as a modernized kitchen for the 10 paramedics who work out of O'Leary.

It also has space for up to four ambulances, two more than are currently based there.

Paramedics in the area haven't been without a home since the fire, though. O'Leary's fire department helped accommodate the staff at the firehouse very shortly after the blaze, and they've been there ever since.

"The firefighters were actually still here putting out the flames as we were making arrangements to continue our operations at their firehall," Orchard said. "[We're] eternally grateful for the O'Leary firefighters for doing that." 

Though the fire department did minor renovations in order to house the Island EMS staff, their space was limited to a temporary work trailer. 

The new base has enough room for training exercises, and the living area can house up to eight paramedics at a time. 

With the next closest Island EMS base in Alberton, Orchard said having ambulances remain in O'Leary means paramedics can get to medical emergencies in West Prince more quickly.

"Having the two is quite an advantage because when one goes out on a call, the other paramedics at the other base are able to cover off those other areas."