It happens often on the subway system.

A passenger on a train or the platform becomes ill. On the train, the yellow strip Passenger Assistance Alarm (PAA) is activated, and Transit Control calls 9-1-1 and emergency responders are on the way.

In 2007, the TTC experienced more than 4,000 incidents of customers or employees becoming ill or injured. Of those, more than 1,200 occurred on subway trains, resulting in delays in service of almost 3,000 minutes.

In an effort to reduce the amount of service delays caused by ill or injured passengers, the TTC and Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have joined forces in a pilot project that will see an EMS paramedic stationed at Bloor-Yonge Station during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The paramedic will be accompanied by a TTC Supervisor, and respond to PAAs in a zone bounded by Lawrence Station to the north, St. Patrick to the south, Coxwell to the east and Dundas West Station to the west.

TTC Chair Adam Giambrone and EMS Deputy Chief Mike Neill officially launched the pilot project at a media event on Aug. 26.

“The wellness of our customers is one of our top priorities,” said Giambrone. “The TTC is very pleased to be working with our colleagues at EMS to ensure that anyone who becomes ill or injured in the subway system will have emergency responders on the scene very quickly. In addition, the quick response will allow the TTC to reduce delays due to emergencies, improving service for everyone.”

For each call, the 9-1-1 dispatcher will still send an ambulance to the scene. However, if the paramedic arrives first, and determines that the illness or injury is of a minor nature, the ambulance will be called off.

The pilot project will run until Jan. 3, 2009, and if deemed successful, the program will continue.