Alberta Health Services (AHS) added 10 additional net-new ambulances in service for patients, with five each in Calgary and Edmonton..According to AHS, the new ambulances are helping relieve pressure on EMS and improve access to emergency patient care..The new ambulances are in addition to nine net-new ambulances that went into service in June 2022, for a total of 19..AHS said the new rides have been funded through $16 million included in the current Government of Alberta Budget, and are one component of the AHS EMS 10-Point Plan to address sustained high call volume and ensure Albertans get emergency care where and when they need it..“We are delivering on the commitment to fund new ambulances for service as quickly as possible. These new ambulances will help create additional capacity in the system, which is much needed,” Minister of Health Jason Copping said..According to AHS, EMS experienced a sustained increase in 911 call volumes of up to 30% above pre-pandemic levels, and call volumes have increased nearly 60% since 2010.."All call types have increased and staff illness and fatigue continue to contribute to challenges in the healthcare system," AHS stated..To staff these new ambulances, AHS also hired new paramedics to provide patient care. The 40 new Primary Care Paramedics — 20 each in Calgary and Edmonton – augment an additional 40 paramedic positions AHS EMS hired in the spring of 2022..According to AHS, adding new ambulances to the EMS fleet is a complex task that involves the work of many AHS EMS divisions, strong relationships with suppliers, and substantial lead times..AHS said ambulances must first be procured from chassis manufacturer General Motors, which currently fulfills orders in approximately 10-12 months.."The ambulances are then delivered to Demers Inc. where the components of the ambulance, such as the patient compartment, are built and affixed to the chassis. The ambulances are subsequently delivered to AHS. This build and delivery process takes several weeks," AHS said..“Our teams have been planning ahead and working closely with our suppliers over the last year to expedite the arrival of these vehicles so that we can continue providing the best care to Albertans,” Chief Paramedic and Senior Provincial Director of AHS EMS Darren Sandbeck said..When the ambulances arrive at AHS they undergo further installation of equipment, including radio and communications devices, Stryker Power-LOAD stretcher systems, LIFEPAK Automated External Defibrillators, battery and equipment charging devices, and medical gasses such as oxygen. As well, each ambulance must be stocked with a complete array of medical supplies.."EMS Vehicles, Equipment, Supplies and Services Technicians (VESST) ensure each and every ambulance is arranged and stocked in an identical fashion so that a paramedic is able to find any supplies quickly on any ambulance in the AHS EMS fleet," AHS stated..Alberta's NDP said the lack of EMS and ambulances were “Thanks to the UCP’s mismanagement of our healthcare system, and ambulance response times have drastically increased.".“The UCP have completely neglected paramedics, leaving them to face tremendous increased pressure on health care without added support. The current situation is not sustainable and, as a result, more paramedics are leaving the profession altogether. This leads to staff shortages that mean ambulances stay parked instead of responding to Albertans’ emergencies," NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) added 10 additional net-new ambulances in service for patients, with five each in Calgary and Edmonton..According to AHS, the new ambulances are helping relieve pressure on EMS and improve access to emergency patient care..The new ambulances are in addition to nine net-new ambulances that went into service in June 2022, for a total of 19..AHS said the new rides have been funded through $16 million included in the current Government of Alberta Budget, and are one component of the AHS EMS 10-Point Plan to address sustained high call volume and ensure Albertans get emergency care where and when they need it..“We are delivering on the commitment to fund new ambulances for service as quickly as possible. These new ambulances will help create additional capacity in the system, which is much needed,” Minister of Health Jason Copping said..According to AHS, EMS experienced a sustained increase in 911 call volumes of up to 30% above pre-pandemic levels, and call volumes have increased nearly 60% since 2010.."All call types have increased and staff illness and fatigue continue to contribute to challenges in the healthcare system," AHS stated..To staff these new ambulances, AHS also hired new paramedics to provide patient care. The 40 new Primary Care Paramedics — 20 each in Calgary and Edmonton – augment an additional 40 paramedic positions AHS EMS hired in the spring of 2022..According to AHS, adding new ambulances to the EMS fleet is a complex task that involves the work of many AHS EMS divisions, strong relationships with suppliers, and substantial lead times..AHS said ambulances must first be procured from chassis manufacturer General Motors, which currently fulfills orders in approximately 10-12 months.."The ambulances are then delivered to Demers Inc. where the components of the ambulance, such as the patient compartment, are built and affixed to the chassis. The ambulances are subsequently delivered to AHS. This build and delivery process takes several weeks," AHS said..“Our teams have been planning ahead and working closely with our suppliers over the last year to expedite the arrival of these vehicles so that we can continue providing the best care to Albertans,” Chief Paramedic and Senior Provincial Director of AHS EMS Darren Sandbeck said..When the ambulances arrive at AHS they undergo further installation of equipment, including radio and communications devices, Stryker Power-LOAD stretcher systems, LIFEPAK Automated External Defibrillators, battery and equipment charging devices, and medical gasses such as oxygen. As well, each ambulance must be stocked with a complete array of medical supplies.."EMS Vehicles, Equipment, Supplies and Services Technicians (VESST) ensure each and every ambulance is arranged and stocked in an identical fashion so that a paramedic is able to find any supplies quickly on any ambulance in the AHS EMS fleet," AHS stated..Alberta's NDP said the lack of EMS and ambulances were “Thanks to the UCP’s mismanagement of our healthcare system, and ambulance response times have drastically increased.".“The UCP have completely neglected paramedics, leaving them to face tremendous increased pressure on health care without added support. The current situation is not sustainable and, as a result, more paramedics are leaving the profession altogether. This leads to staff shortages that mean ambulances stay parked instead of responding to Albertans’ emergencies," NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said.
