Emergency Medical Services
Under the new system of provincially managed ambulance service with Alberta Health Services, Strathcona County is contracted to have four Advanced Life Support ambulances staffed at all times within the County and dispatched within the region as necessary. Full time ambulance crews are trained as either Paramedics or as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and respond to all incidents in the County. Part time crews in rural Ardrossan and South Cooking Lake are trained as First Responders in CPR and First Aid.
User fees for ambulance service, whether it includes transport to the hospital or immediate assessment and treatment from an EMS crew member on site, are in effect. These user fees have changed, effective April 1, 2009. Changes include being charged for cancelled calls (when there is a 9-1-1 call but the patient does not need to be transported to a hospital) and interfacility transfers.
When a 9-1-1 call is received, the Emergency Communications Officer quickly determines where the emergency is. They decide what ambulance is closest to the emergency and a crew is dispatched to provide the fastest service to the most severe incidents.
If a medical emergency occurs in the rural area, first responders from Ardrossan or South Cooking Lake are dispatched and an ambulance responds from full time Station 1, 4 or 5 for further assessment, treatment and transport to a hospital when required. This method ensures a quick response time in rural areas. When both crews arrive on scene, the severity of the call is assessed and one crew is released as appropriate.
Work for Strathcona County Emergency Services.
Further information
emergencyservices@strathcona.ab.ca
780-467-5216
Last updated: Thursday, June 03, 2010
Page ID: 2425