Southern Health is getting another 12 emergency medical technicians. Health Minister Cameron Friesen says this is part of the government's commitment to providing better health at the scene of incidents. He explains that whereas ambulances used to provide a grab and go service to get patients to hospital as quickly as possible, paramedics now deliver high level care right at the scene, before transporting the patient.

"The move has been in recent years to a professional, full time, 24-7 operation of EMS. Paramedics arrive on scene and immediately, that medical intervention is

commencing, and that is important for patient outcomes and patient safety."

Friesen says Southern Health will determine where the new EMTs are located and expects them to be in place within the next few months. He notes this will make the health care system better.

"Better health care sooner is the pledge that our government has made to Manitobans and we are getting that. A key to that is EMS response and that ability to provide that care immediately onsite."

The overarching provincial standard for emergency medical response is to respond within 30 minutes 90 per cent of the time to 90 per cent of the population. Manitoba uses a globally recognized, flexible deployment model to shift EMS resources as they are required throughout a region, ensuring timely responses to emergency situations across rural Manitoba.

Friesen adds the government is also replacing 65 ambulances with new units. That's about one-third of the provincial fleet.