Rebel UCP MLA Drew Barnes is voicing concern with another of his government’s moves – to centralize EMS dispatch across the province..“The best way to get the safest service is to keep it local, not to centralize,” said Barnes, a former Wildrose health critic and current UCP MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat..When Barnes was in Opposition, he also blasted NDP moves to centralize the service..The move would see all calls for EMS handled by Alberta Health Services (AHS) dispatchers in Edmonton, Calgary and Peace River..“In terms of cost effectiveness, centralization never saves money,” said Barnes in an interview with the Western Standard..Alberta Health has said the move should save about $6 million..“Another of the problems is that if you’re as small rural service, sometimes your ambulances get pulled in by the big cities when it’s busy,” said Barnes..“Rural Albertans will suffer. A lot of local knowledge in terms of addresses and areas will be lost.”.Barnes said he has seen nothing from the health minister or members of the cabinet that shows any benefits of the move..Barnes is the second in the UCP caucus to be skeptical of centralization..Tany Yao, the UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, told the Fort McMurray Today he had a “mixed opinion” on the topic..“In particular, our region is unique in that it’s so isolated and for that reason alone I think we can manage it,” said Yao, who is also a former firefighter and paramedic with the Fort McMurray Fire Department. .“It’s a difficult one, but it’s one that I prefer stay within our local community.”.Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and other Alberta mayors have also voiced concerns about the move..This is just the latest run-in Barnes has had with Premier Jason Kenney and his government..One came on the heels of a dissenting report from Barnes, who was a member of the premier’s Fair Deal Panel. That dissenting report included calling for an independence vote if Alberta was unable to secure a fair deal within confederation, prompting the NDP to demand that Barnes be thrown out of the UCP Caucus..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
