Medical Assist Calls Continue to Rise

Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake will continue to seek information from ALTA Paramedic Health (APH) regarding the provision of ambulance services in the region as well as the increasing expectations that municipal fire-rescue services be available to assist with EMS calls.

At its May 20 Corporate Priorities Meeting, chaired by Deputy Mayor Bill Parker, Council heard that Cold Lake Fire-Rescue’s presence and response is increasingly being requested at EMS calls for a variety of reasons. At some calls they are requested to assist with lifting patients. 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,” Deputy Mayor Bill Parker said.

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-Rescue’s 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 or AHS.

The number of requests for medical assistance has risen sharply since 2023, when 36 such calls were received. In 2024 that number rose to 58 medical assistance calls and in 2025, 78 calls for assistance were received. To date, Cold Lake Fire-Rescue has been requested to assist with 16 calls in 2026.

Cold Lake City Council directed its administration to continue to liaise 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. 

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