(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Budget week

Red Deer city council to consider budget options for 2026 emergency services review

Nov 25, 2025 | 10:57 AM

Red Deer city council says they will consider its budget options for an already planned 2026 emergency services operational review during the upcoming budget week.

This comes after an update on emergency services shared at yesterday’s council meeting. The operational review was already scheduled for the new year as they’re typically done every five to seven years. The last one was completed in 2017.

“Today’s resolution is an important step in ensuring council has the information it needs to make sound budget decisions,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “As we look ahead to budget week, the options report will help council determine what scope and budget to allocate to the third-party 2026 operational review, potentially expanding the scope, so we can continue to set service levels that are sustainable, responsible, and in the best interest of our community.”

The report will be brought forward by the city administration, which will highlight what an expanded third-party review could look like and the estimated costs.

The review currently focuses on emergency services operations, including system capacity, decision-making processes, and current service levels across fire and ambulance operations.

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It is also about an overall look at how emergency services function and where improvements can be made.

“Our goal is to ensure Red Deer’s Emergency Services remain strong, sustainable, and able to meet the needs of our community today and into the future. By continuing to engage staff directly and taking a comprehensive look at our operations, we can support council in making informed, long-term decisions,” said Tara Lodewyk, city manager. “It is also important to consider these decisions in context of the budget as a whole.”