10/18/2010 7:55:48 PM

October 13, 2010

Chief Bruce K. Farr announces retirement from Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

City of Toronto EMS Chief Bruce K. Farr announced his retirement yesterday effective February 28, 2011. A replacement has not been announced, but plans are in place to implement a smooth transition over the next few months.

“I have enjoyed working with Chief Farr in his leadership role since 2003,” said Sue Corke, Deputy City Manager. “His innovations in emergency medical service delivery and his clear strategic thinking have allowed Toronto’s service to become a leader not only in Canada, but worldwide.”

Chief Farr is in his 39th year with Toronto EMS. He started his municipal career on December 10, 1972 as an ambulance driver in Scarborough. Over the last 25 years he has been a leader in the emerging profession of paramedicine and emergency medical dispatch (EMD) and was instrumental in creating the Advanced Care Paramedic position in Toronto. As a result, paramedics and EMDs today save lives by taking medical procedures from the emergency room directly into the patient’s living room.

“I want to thank the team of people who worked with me over almost 40 years at Toronto EMS," said Chief Farr. "Each one of them has left me with a fond memory to take forward into retirement. This is an outstanding group of people and though I am sad to leave, I am also proud to leave the service in the hands of a group of proven EMS leaders. The City’s emergency medical needs are in good hands.”

Toronto Emergency Medical Services respond to more than 700 emergency medical calls per day, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and employs over 850 paramedics and 150 emergency medical dispatchers, who are supported by a fleet of 150 ambulances.