Cold Lake city council is seeking more information from ALTA Paramedic Health about growing demands being placed on local fire-rescue crews to assist with medical emergencies.
At its May 20th Corporate Priorities Meeting, council heard that Cold Lake Fire-Rescue is increasingly being called to assist with EMS calls. “At some calls they are requested to assist with lifting patients,” reads the release. “At other calls, Cold Lake Fire-Rescue members are requested to provide comfort in place until an ambulance can arrive as no ambulances are available.”
“The Cold Lake Fire-Rescue members are exceptional at their jobs and are happy to help, but we need to recognize that this is an additional cost to the municipality, its budget, and a strain on our Fire-Rescue resources,” said Deputy Mayor Bill Parker.
While the increase in calls for assistance suggests that there is operational pressure on the ambulance service in the region, it also places increasing demand on Cold Lake Fire-Rescues resources.
“The situation in general is a cause for concern for the public that may need EMS services. Finally, the cost to the city of Cold Lake to provide this assistance is not being recuperated as APH does not allow the municipality to bill the ambulance service provider on AHS.”
The number of requests for medical assistance has risen significantly in the last years. Cold Lake Fire-Rescue responded to 36 such calls in 2023, 58 in 2024 and 78 in 2025. So far in 2026 there have already been 16 calls for assistance.
Council has directed administration to continue discussions with Alberta Urgent Care’s new organization overseeing ambulance services leadership to gain a better understanding of the issues driving the numbers and work towards a solution.
