Chatham-Kent EMS is asking the municipality for some service improvements because of rising call volume over the past few years.
Medavie Health Services has prepared a report to go before councillors on Monday night reviewing operations.
In the report, Medavie said urgent call volume (Code 4) has increased 38 per cent since 2012, a 3.4 per cent yearly average increase, prompt call volume (Code 3) has increased by 47 per cent since 2012, a 4.2 per cent annual average increase, and staffing hours added to the system increased by 12 per cent since 2012, 23 per cent less when compared to the jump in call volume over same time period.
Code Reds, which happen when there are three or fewer ambulances available to respond to a 9-1-1 call in the municipality, still remains at a "significant level annually" with a daily average of 1.65 hours, according to Medavie, and ambulance movements have increased 83 per cent since 2012, a 7.54 per cent average increase each year.
"This increase has a negative effect on vehicle “wear and tear”, fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and paramedic fatigue and patient safety," said Medavie.
However, Medavie said CK paramedics are still well when it comes to response times.
The report showed the time it takes from an emergency call to an ambulance arriving on-scene still remains slightly above the target of 14 minutes and 34 seconds.
Medavie is giving council a heads up that an aging and growing population will need more paramedics because of higher demand for service and want councillors to increase service levels.
Medavie is asking council to consider an additional 12 unit hours per day because service calls continue to exceed forecasts.
"These additional hours will impact the maintenance of response times, staff fatigue, and overall quality of pre-hospital care," wrote Medavie.
Medavie also wants Advanced Care Paramedics introduced into the out-of-hospital system, saying it could bring a new level of skill set and care for the community.
Putting an ambulance in north Chatham during peak hours of demand each day will also help response times, said Medavie.
Ontario Health and Public Health data showed that Chatham-Kent has poorer health compared to the rest of Ontario and Medavie said changes are needed to continue to meet the "ever-changing" health needs of the community.
Paramedics is Chatham-Kent have been on strike for exactly one month.