City recommended to decline province’s revised EMS contract

Changes may be coming to the city’s emergency services. Lethbridge City Council has been advised by administration to not accept the province’s new EMS contract conditions, which the city would have to agree to cover any costs above the provincial funding benchmark.

The City of Lethbridge and other cities in Alberta use an integrated Fire and EMS model, which trains staff as both firefighters and paramedics. Taxpayers contribute $3.5 million annually each year to maintain the service. However, with the new proposal by the province to eat additional costs, their proposed funding for three years would mean an increase of another $3.7 million in 2027, which would automatically mean a 1.8% tax increase. Administration views these increases as unsustainable.

By not continuing with the integrated system, the city would move to a fire-only model. It would mean the loss of around 70 staff positions, reduction in ambulance service times, decreased efficiency, and the loss of the local tactical EMS team. And yet, the move will still need to be funded with taxpayer money. Going

City Council is expected to vote on the matter at a special meeting on May 5^th, with Mayor Hyggen adding that he’s committed to continue negotiating with the province and ensure the century-old integrated model can continue in our city.

If Council does not agree to take on the additional cost, EHS has indicated they will move to either an open procurement process or a direct delivery model. If EHS initiates a procurement process, the City can still submit proposals to keep the integrated Fire-EMS model.