A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
Provided immediate and long-term recommendations to enhance Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided to Albertans.
The Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee was established to address the growing demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across our province.
Calls to 911 have increased 30% since the spring of 2021. This added strain leads to increased pressure on the EMS system and the people who work in it.
The advisory committee was tasked with providing immediate and long-term recommendations that will better support staff and ensure a strengthened and sustainable EMS system for Albertans needing services now and into the future.
Ministry of Health
Email submissions were reviewed by the committee.
Input received by email, and through engaging with frontline EMS staff informed the committee’s recommendations.
The Alberta government has accepted all recommendations in the Alberta Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee report and the independent Dispatch Review.
The Healthcare Action Plan will lead to better EMS response times through a variety of actions, including some identified in the committee report and Dispatch Review. We are developing an implementation plan to address actions not already underway.
The advisory committee focused on the issues facing EMS, such as system pressures that may cause service gaps, staffing issues, and hours of work. This included issues related to ground ambulance, air ambulance and dispatch.
Advisory committee members have also:
reviewed procedures and policies related to the delivery of EMS in the province
identified current and emerging issues that impact EMS service delivery in Alberta
developed recommended strategies or actions to address the issues
tracked progress, evaluated results and reported on progress
Throughout this work, the committee provided regular updates and recommendations to the Minister of Health to be actioned in the short-term.
The committee submitted an initial formal report to the Minister of Health in May 2022, and a final and more detailed report with long-term recommendations in September 2022.
Co-Chairs:
Members:
Last updated: January 16, 2023