OLDS — Mayor Judy Dahl says it’s too early for her to comment on concerns about ambulance availability in Olds because she’s still learning about the issue, but is aware of residents’ concerns about it.
Specifically, Dahl says she was aware that a meeting was held in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 about that issue.
Those present at that meeting agreed to form a citizen’s action committee to press for changes to ensure ambulances are available for Olds and area residents when they need them.
The idea is to join forces with other citizens’ action committees in order to have more clout with Alberta Health Services and the provincial government.
Another meeting is planned for Dec. 9.
Dahl said for the time being at least, she has to rely on the knowledge of town officials because she has been off town council for four years.
"I trust in and respect our protective services (director) Justin Andrew on giving the information to council as I’m so new to it. He’s been doing a great job of being able to reflect what’s going on there,” Dahl said.
“I have no evidence-based facts of that information, although I do hear people say that they’ve waited for ambulances. I’m just in the midst of learning and educating myself in that area.”
The issue of ambulance service came up during the Alberta Municipalities (AM – formerly known as Alberta Urban Municipalities Association) convention late last month.
One resolution called on AM to push for a review of the emergency ambulance dispatch system, which has been centralized by Alberta Health Services.
Another called on AM to work with the provincial government and others to improve delivery and performance of the ambulance system in the province.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), which represents ambulance workers, among other health care employees in the province, announced it’s happy to be involved in finding a solution to the problem.
An HSAA news release said recently, rolling red alerts, where no ambulance is available to respond, occurred in Carstairs and Olds among several other Alberta communities.
In an email, Dary Lowey, chair of the Olds citizens action committee, said the resolution and the HSAA announcement of its plans to be involved are a good start.
“I think it is great, and shows promise, but I think it needs some sort of endorsement by the Alberta Paramedic Association and the Alberta College of Paramedics," Lowey wrote. “It needs to be jointly endorsed – strength in numbers.
“Further, I think it is more important now than ever, that we make our citizens action group heard.”
