Committee approves budget to strengthen safe and reliable emergency response

The City’s Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee today approved its portion of Draft Budget 2026. These investments will help strengthen emergency and protective services across Ottawa, ensuring timely response and reliable support for residents. 

The Committee’s approved budget includes a net operating budget of $430 million and capital investments of $15.3 million for programs, including Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, By-law and Regulatory Services, Public Safety Service and Public Policy Development Service. 

Highlights of the approved budget include: 

• Ottawa Paramedic Service: $3.3 million to hire 23 new paramedics, $2.2 million for lifecycle renewal of medical equipment and $580,000 for hybrid emergency response vehicles 

• Ottawa Fire Services: $3.6 million to replace firefighter breathing devices, $3.6 million to repair and renew fire stations and $1.4 million for other fire equipment 

• By-law and Regulatory Services: Six new full-time equivalent positions to improve response times and enforce property standards, $100,000 for hybrid/electric vehicles and equipment and $100,000 to modernize field technology 

• Public Safety Service: $764,000 for lifecycle renewal of public safety equipment and systems, supporting reliable technology for security operations and emergency coordination

The approved budget includes several continuous improvement initiatives designed to deliver efficiencies and modernize services. By-law and Regulatory Services will introduce new, handheld ticketing devices and an online business licensing system to streamline processes, improve client experience and reduce paper waste. Ottawa Fire Services is maintaining the false fire alarm strategy to reduce unnecessary emergency responses and associated costs.  

Last year, Ottawa Paramedic Service reduced Level Zero events—when no ambulances are available—by 79 per cent, and these investments aim to reduce them even further. Programs like Community Paramedicine and the Mental Well-Being Response Team also help lower 9-1-1 calls and hospital transports.  

Public Safety Service enhancements include lifecycle renewal of critical systems and enhanced emergency response through Climate Ready Ottawa investments in training, equipment and community preparedness. These initiatives collectively improve service delivery, reduce administrative burden, and support cost-effective operations. 

Council will consider Draft Budget 2026 on Wednesday, December 10.