The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RWMB) is announcing a new agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to provide ambulance and EMS services in our region.

The five-year contract ensures four fully staffed ambulances are available in the region 24/7. The deal also sees the continuation of the RMWB’s dual model, where staff are trained in both EMS and fire response.

“We are tremendously proud and appreciative of our dedicated emergency responders, and everyone working with and supporting Regional Emergency Services at the Municipality,” said Sandy Bowman, Mayor of the RMWB.

“Thank you to my Council colleagues for being united and standing behind RES and our emergency responders as an agreement was reached with AHS. This step also demonstrates an approach from the Government of Alberta that recognizes the uniqueness and importance of our region, and the excellence of our integrated, regional emergency response system.”

The Municipality is still in negotiations with AHS on the process of resuming local 911 dispatch for EMS services. In late November the Government of Alberta announced dispatched would be returning to Fort McMurray after a contentious move the a provincially centralized model.

The RMWB says they are engaged in positive discussions on the matter with officials at AHS, and will be ready to resume local dispatch once a formal agreement is reached.