On April 1, 2009, the responsibility for ground ambulance services will no longer be that of your municipal government, but will fall on the newly formed provincial health authority.
The bid is designed to improve patient care, accountability and efficiency, and it is thought to be a win-win situation for everyone. How it will play out remains to be seen.
Over the last 10 years, a series of reports, consultations and discussions have taken place in the province around this topic. The conclusion reached throughout them all is that EMS is health care, and therefore the funding and governance belong in the health system.
“EMS practitioners are highly trained health care professionals providing front line care and saving lives,” said Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert. “They rightfully belong in the health care system as first responders to medical emergencies.”
Few people are arguing with that logic, including Slave Lake Air/Ground director of operations, Paul Sheppard.
The Leader spoke with Sheppard following the media release of proposed changes, and while he conceded that the plan does make sense from an administrative point of view, there is much work to be done before anyone can say with certainty what the real outcome will be.
“(Provincial administration) would certainly address funding issues,” said the local director, “and for municipalities looking to get out of ambulance service, it might be a good thing. Is one better than the other? It’s really hard to say.”
The current scheme sees the province paying for 67 per cent of total costs and the rest deferred to ambulance users. When the transfer of services is complete, the province will cover 90 per cent.
Again, you’d find few people complaining about that. So, just where is the problem?
Well, even without an obvious villain in the picture, EMS folks are naturally aware of potential for problems. You might say they are trained to look for them or that their “first response” is to assess the situation carefully before jumping in.
Take Lorne Larson, for example. Larson sits on the board of the Slave Lake Ambulance Authority, in the thick of an administration that will be affected by the transfer of services.
He too sounded mostly positive about the changeover, but reluctant to give the plan two thumbs up – yet. Like his colleague Paul Sheppard, Larson’s concerns go beyond finances. How will training be affected? How much value does the province place on local interests?
Beyond that, there is a real concern about rural areas receiving the same training as that of ambulance training in bigger cities. If done correctly, workers can move freely between areas in their chosen profession. More importantly, all Albertans should be able to access the same level of professional services if they need it.
“No doubt there is a lot of head scratching going on right now,” said Larson. “It looks good on paper, but the cookie cutter approach may not work for the whole province.”
M.D. of Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt weighed in on the subject similarly, but with an emphasis on benefits to the taxpayer. “If the taxpayer is let off the hook and industry picks up the tab, well that’s probably a good thing.”

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