(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

no go

Government votes down new motion to reconsider EMS dispatch consolidation

Mar 16, 2021 | 11:28 AM

The provincial government has voted down a last-ditch effort to halt the centralization of EMS Dispatch services in Alberta.

The mayors of Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer, with support from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, expressed their disappointment that the Legislative Assembly did not support a motion to reverse the decision of centralized emergency dispatch.

The motion voted down on Monday stated:

“Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government to take into consideration the views of the residents of Calgary, Lethbridge, and Red Deer, who are well served by a local, integrated model of emergency dispatch, and immediately take steps to reverse the decision to implement the centralization of the dispatch of emergency medical services.”

The four communities involved have said they will continue to push for an immediate pause and overturn the decision made by Alberta Health Services to consolidate EMS dispatch.

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“We strongly dispute the effectiveness of this consolidated system, and we are disappointed that the issue did not receive majority support in the Legislative Assembly today,” said Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer. “We are asking all Members of the Legislative Assembly to continue to do what is best for Albertans in the name of health and safety and hear the concerns of communities across our province.”

“This is a non-partisan issue. It is about recognizing the importance of community safety and preserving the effectiveness of emergency services. We are disappointed in the outcome of this decision,” added Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman, who has expressed his concerns over wait times being lengthened due to the centralization.

Mayors of each of the four communities are calling again for a third-party external review into the consolidation.

(With file from Connor Gunn – Lethbridge News Now)

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