Despite challenges, East Central Ambulance Association (ECAA) continues to serve the residents of East Central Alberta.
According to operations manager Lorne Dewart, the ambulance service faces both staffing and financial challenges with current contracts.
"There are a lot of new faces," said Dewart. "There's been a mass exodus of staff to (Alberta Health Services) positions."
Dewart noted that as far as staffing goes, when Alberta Health Services (AHS) temporarily froze hiring, the service was able to get fully staffed, but that with the freeze lifted, staff are again seeking opportunities in the cities.
"It creates the revolving door," said Dewart.
Frustrating Dewart is the cost associated with getting a new hire trained and uniformed, for them to turn around and leave.
Dewart notes that the situation for ECAA is not unique; all rural contractors face the issue.
Another issue comes down to costs.
While funding is stable, thanks to contracts through AHS, costs continue to escalate.
A new ambulance purchased for the service's Castor station was around $270,000, up from the $128,000 half a decade earlier.
According to Dewart, that is just for the unit; outfitting the ambulance with the tools of the trade, including the stretcher, adds to the cost.
The problem comes down to scarcity; Dewart notes that with the detailed specifications of ambulances, manufacturers must retool and, as a result, only produce a limited run, around 50 per year. With demand increasing, costs are also climbing.
Still, in spite of the challenges, Dewart says that the service continues to deliver on its mission statement of delivering the highest quality patient care.
"If you call, an ambulance will come," said Dewart, a comment which fits in well with the theme of Paramedic Services week 2025.
Paramedic Services Week is celebrated from May 18 to 24 and the 2025 theme is "We care. For Everyone."
"Early on in my career, I learned (Emergency Medical Services) doesn't discriminate in any way ... Don't worry about the bills."
That is a message that Dewart passes on to his staff.
"We get emails and accolades from patients and their families who couldn't say enough nice things about the care for their family members," said Dewart.
ECAA manages three ambulance stations in Castor, Coronation, and Consort and has 12 full-time staff and some casuals.
Castor is the busiest of the services, responding to over 400 calls a year. Coronation responds to over 200 calls a year, and Consort responds to just under 120 calls per year.
Despite the hurdles the service faces, Dewart remains proud of his team’s resilience and commitment to community care.
