Emergency calls

The province announces a plan to free up ambulances to respond to more urgent calls. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Non-medical patient transfers to shift from ambulances to alternative transportation

UCP announce plan to improve ambulance response times and open up acute care beds

 

Ambulance crews often look after several patients in the emergency department at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre in order to get ambulances back onto the road. (Photo by Advocate Staff)

EMS crews were busy this week working behind the scenes at Red Deer hospital

Lengthy waits for some patients brought in by ambulance

 

A memorial, shown on June 8, 2022, in the back alley of a home in Calgary where an 86-year-old woman was attacked by dogs. She was taken to hospital and later died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colette Derworiz

Alberta orders outside review into ambulance response time to dog attack victim

EMS initially triaged the “dog bite” as non-life-threatening based on 911 call centre information

 

Police surround an ambulance in Calgary on May 28, 2008. Alberta Health Services says it is investigating why it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond after dogs attacked an 86-year-old woman in Calgary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

Alberta Health Services investigates EMS response time in fatal Calgary dog attack

It took 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond after incident happened

Police surround an ambulance in Calgary on May 28, 2008. Alberta Health Services says it is investigating why it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond after dogs attacked an 86-year-old woman in Calgary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
Emergency dispatcher Amy Boult, and to her right dispatcher Cody Murray, were ready to respond to calls at the newly renovated Emergency Communication Centre in Red Deer. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)

Ready for the future with newly renovated Emergency Communication Centre in Red Deer

It’s National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Emergency dispatcher Amy Boult, and to her right dispatcher Cody Murray, were ready to respond to calls at the newly renovated Emergency Communication Centre in Red Deer. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)
Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta. (Contributed image).

Alberta’s ambulance system in dire need of more ambulances, paramedics: HSAA president

Mike Parker said paramedics are burning out from stress, no days off

Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta. (Contributed image).
Health Sciences Association of Alberta says Albertans can no longer be certain an ambulance will be available to respond when they need one. (File photo by Advocate staff).

Ambulance ‘red alerts’ an issue for Red Deer and central Alberta communities

EMS services stretched beyond their limits, says union

Health Sciences Association of Alberta says Albertans can no longer be certain an ambulance will be available to respond when they need one. (File photo by Advocate staff).
Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer will be at the legislature Thursday to urge members of the UCP caucus to drop the plan to consolidate EMS dispatch by Jan. 4. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)

Consolidated ambulance dispatch a failure, says Red Deer resident who called 911

Red Deer calls on province to push pause on consolidation

Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer will be at the legislature Thursday to urge members of the UCP caucus to drop the plan to consolidate EMS dispatch by Jan. 4. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)
Darren Sandbeck, senior provincial director and chief paramedic with Alberta Health Services, says there is no evidence that the consolidation of EMS dispatch has led to any delays or inappropriate responses. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Consolidation of EMS dispatch has not led to any delays: Alberta’s chief paramedic

Red Deer and others want ambulance dispatch consolidation paused

Darren Sandbeck, senior provincial director and chief paramedic with Alberta Health Services, says there is no evidence that the consolidation of EMS dispatch has led to any delays or inappropriate responses. (File photo by Advocate staff)
Mayor Tara Veer is among those concerned about failures in the consolidated EMS dispatch system. (File photo by Advocate staff)

UPDATED: Mayors demand review of EMS dispatch after errors and delays

Mayors send letter to Kenney and Shandro outlining concerns

Mayor Tara Veer is among those concerned about failures in the consolidated EMS dispatch system. (File photo by Advocate staff)
The mayors of Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo are opposing a change in how EMS crews are dispatched. (Photo contributed)

Tara Veer and three other mayors speak out: Centralization of EMS dispatch is the wrong move for all Albertans

You may have heard about a dispute between four Alberta communities –…

  • Oct 9, 2020
The mayors of Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo are opposing a change in how EMS crews are dispatched. (Photo contributed)
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Shuswap Search and Rescue crews were combing the water off Canoe Beach on Thursday evening, July 23, 2020. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer)

Edmonton man, 22, presumed drowned near popular B.C. beach

RCMP dive team to continue search of water by Canoe Beach

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Shuswap Search and Rescue crews were combing the water off Canoe Beach on Thursday evening, July 23, 2020. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer)