Lanark County Paramedic Service Officially Opens Rebuilt Almonte Base
September 25, 2026
Almonte, Ontario – Lanark County
Paramedic Service (LCPS) officially opened its rebuilt and expanded Almonte
Base today, marking an important milestone more than three years after the
former base was destroyed by fire.
LCPS staff joined Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) leadership,
elected officials, emergency-service partners and community partners for a
ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the new base at 75 Spring Street in
Almonte.
The former Almonte Base was destroyed by fire in March 2023. LCPS
adapted quickly and continued providing paramedic services across Lanark County
while operating from temporary accommodations during the rebuilding process.
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills and the Mississippi Mills Fire
Department provided LCPS with temporary operating space at Fire Station 1
following the fire, giving local crews a place to operate while the base was
rebuilt.
The new Almonte Base has been rebuilt and expanded to better support
LCPS staff and the current and future needs of the service.
“What we are celebrating today is more than the replacement of a
building,” said Travis Mellema, Chief, Lanark County Paramedic Service. “This
base gives our team a stronger foundation for the work we do today and for the
service we are building for tomorrow.”
“I watched the LCPS team absorb an enormous disruption without allowing
that disruption to define the care they provided to the community,” said Brad
Harrington, President & CEO, Mississippi River Health Alliance. “The
Almonte Base hasn’t simply been rebuilt. It has been expanded to better support
the current and future needs of LCPS and the communities it serves.”
The ceremony included remarks from Mellema, who served as Master of
Ceremonies; Harrington; Michel G. Vermette, Chair of the Allied Boards of
Directors; Lanark County Warden and Beckwith Reeve Richard Kidd; and MPP John
Jordan. Jordan also delivered remarks on behalf of MP Scott Reid, who was
unable to attend the event. Kidd is serving as Lanark County’s 2026 Warden, and
Jordan is the current MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston.
In his remarks, Reid recognized the dedication and professionalism of
LCPS paramedics and described the rebuilt and expanded base as a strong
foundation for the future of paramedic services in the community.
“Buildings matter. Infrastructure matters. But ultimately, organizations
are defined by their people, and we have the best people,” said Michel G.
Vermette, Chair of the Allied Boards of Directors. Vermette also recognized the
Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Mississippi Mills Fire Department and
Lanark County for their support throughout the rebuilding process.
Following the ceremony and ribbon cutting, guests toured the rebuilt
base and had an opportunity to meet with LCPS staff and learn more about the
facility.
Quick Facts
· The former LCPS
Almonte Base was destroyed by fire in March 2023.
· LCPS continued
providing paramedic services while operating from temporary accommodations
during the rebuilding process.
· The Municipality
of Mississippi Mills and Mississippi Mills Fire Department provided LCPS with
temporary operating space at Fire Station 1 following the fire.
· The rebuilt and
expanded Almonte Base is located at 75 Spring Street in Almonte.
· The new base has
been designed to better support LCPS staff and the current and future needs of
the service.
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Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About Lanark County Paramedic Service
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides
essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across
Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the
first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide
range of medical and trauma-related calls. With a strong commitment to
innovation, professionalism, and community partnerships, LCPS is dedicated to
enhancing the health and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.