Why the Province's recent decision gives Spruce Grove an opportunity to revisit the future of integrated Fire-EMS.
When you call 911, you probably aren't thinking about whether the ambulance is funded by the Province or the City.
You are expecting the right people to arrive quickly, work together seamlessly, and provide the care you need.
For more than 20 years, that is exactly what Spruce Grove's integrated Fire-EMS system has done.
An integrated Fire-EMS system means the same firefighters who respond to fires are also licensed paramedics. They train together, respond together, and work as one coordinated team from the moment they arrive. When an ambulance is already committed elsewhere, firefighter-paramedics can begin advanced patient care immediately while additional resources are on the way.
It's a model that has protected our community for decades.
Earlier this year, the Province proposed major changes to EMS delivery in seven Alberta communities. Faced with uncertainty and significant financial questions, Council made the difficult decision to move away from our integrated ambulance service.
No one can fault Council for making that decision based on the information available at the time.
But circumstances have changed.
After thousands of Albertans, municipal leaders, and first responders spoke up, the Province paused its restructuring plans and committed to working with municipalities on a long-term solution through 2028–2029.
That means Spruce Grove has another opportunity.
We can continue dismantling a system that has served our community well for over two decades, or we can work with the Province to determine whether there is a path to preserving the integrated model our residents know and trust.
Other municipalities, including St. Albert, Red Deer, and Strathcona County, reviewed the same Provincial proposal and chose to preserve their integrated Fire-EMS systems while discussions continue.
This conversation is about preserving a proven emergency response model. Protecting the dedicated professionals who deliver that service is naturally part of that conversation, but our primary focus is ensuring residents continue to receive the highest level of coordinated emergency care possible.
It is also important to be clear about what this conversation is not about. This is not a criticism of the dedicated paramedics who work for Emergency Health Services or any other ambulance provider. We have tremendous respect for our colleagues across the province and the important work they do every day under often challenging circumstances. They are working in a system that has faced persistent resource and response-time challenges across Alberta.
We believe communities shouldn't be forced to choose between supporting the professionals who serve them and maintaining the emergency response model that has proven itself over decades. We believe both are worth protecting.
Regardless of the patch on our shoulder, everyone who responds to a 9-1-1 call shares the same goal: providing the best possible care to Albertans.
Our concern is with how the emergency response system is designed and governed, not with the professionals working within it. Despite numerous initiatives over the years, many of the systemic challenges affecting EMS remain unresolved. We believe integrated Fire-EMS provides the greatest flexibility, coordination, and resilience for our community, and it is that proven model we are asking Council to fully explore before making permanent changes.
This is not about refusing change.
It is about making sure every reasonable option is explored before permanently dismantling a system that has protected Spruce Grove families for more than twenty years.
My members and I believe Spruce Grove residents deserve every reasonable opportunity to preserve a proven emergency response model before permanent changes are made.