Firefighters’ Union slams council’s EMS dunding decision

After Lethbridge City Council reaffirmed its opposition to Alberta’s proposed funding model for the integrated Fire and EMS system, the president of the Lethbridge Firefighters IAFF Local 237 says firefighters are “deeply disappointed” with the decision, arguing it puts the future of the city’s integrated Fire/EMS system at risk.

“We are deeply disappointed that Lethbridge City Council is standing by a decision that places the future of integrated fire-based EMS in our community at risk.Alberta’s firefighters and firefighter-paramedics have been actively engaged with the Government of Alberta, and we do not share the City’s characterization of the provincial review or its significance. Minister Adriana LaGrange has taken important steps to respond to concerns raised by Albertans and has initiated an independent third-party review of the EHS funding benchmark that will examine operational, workforce, service-level and financial factors.This review provides a genuine opportunity to examine the true cost and full value of integrated Fire/EMS, including the contribution of highly trained firefighter-paramedics who can provide advanced medical care from the first moments of an emergency. Lethbridge City Council should allow that work to be completed before making a final decision that could fundamentally change emergency response in the community. Lethbridge residents have repeatedly expressed their support for integrated Fire/EMS. We urge City Council to reconsider its position and participate fully in the independent review initiated by Minister LaGrange before making a final decision.”