Spruce Grove residents rally in support of integrated Fire-EMS

SPRUCE GROVE -- Spruce Grove residents continue to rally in support of integrated Fire-EMS. 

This comes following the city's decision to transition away from the integrated model after the current provincial contract expires in the fall. This was due to a provincial decision to cut funding for integrated Fire-EMS once the current contract expires, which would have shifted greater costs for the service to the municipality. 

At the City of Spruce Grove's council meeting on Aug. 17, a number of residents spoke in support of integrated Fire-EMS during public commentary. Concerns related to a possible increase in ambulance response time, firefighter layoffs, and a fear that overall service could decline as a result of the decision. One resident asked why there wasn't more public consultation.

"This isn't an arena, this isn't a building permit, this isn't a flower planter. This is emergency medical care," said the resident. "It's not simply an administrative contract. This is about what happens when someone's child has a seizure and stops breathing, like mine did. When someone's husband goes into cardiac arrest, when someone's parent suffers a heart attack, and when someone's loved one has just minutes between life and death."

Also speaking during public commentary was Ed McLean, former Captain at Spruce Grove Fire Services. McLean began by questioning the leadership of Adriana LaGrange, who is Alberta's Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. He also discussed that prior to the integrated service being introduced, he saw firsthand how provincial crews are not the same as local staff.

"Before we integrated, we had ambulances stationed in the station. First thing they did, is they checked their units and they left, even though there were chores to be done," said McLean. "They're not family. Firefighters and paramedics within the integrated service are family."

Mayor Jeff Acker noted at Monday's meeting that the city is awaiting a report on the matter from the province, which is expected to be received at the start of October. In past correspondence, the Alberta government has indicated that they will not be reversing course on their decision to change the funding model, but could be willing to provide more time to municipalities to transition away from their current integrated Fire-EMS service.