Alberta municipalities could see increase in cost for integrated firefighter paramedics

Alberta municipalities were told they may get a bill from the province for having integrated firefighter paramedics.

With contracted services agreements expiring in September, the Alberta government has notified municipalities of its upcoming ground ambulance strategy.

This means that municipalities will have to decide whether they wish to continue to provide service at Emergency Health Services (EHS) costing. If they choose to opt out, those services will either become part of the competitive request for proposal (RFP) or transition to EHS.

Eric Lowe, president of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2461 which represents firemedics in Strathcona County, says the changes could prevent the union from providing services to the community.

“Our members provide emergency medical services through a contract with the province,” explained Lowe. “The province has approached our employer about renegotiating that contract, and what we have learned, is that they proposed one of two options: The first would be that they accept the contract at a lesser value, or, they forego the contract and that goes out to RFP process, opening up that contract to any bidder.”

Local 2461 members are cross-trained to be firefighters and paramedics to provide “seamless care.” Lowe said the union has been providing services to Strathcona County since 1972.

“There are a lot of unknowns with this contract. We don’t know what the terms will be, and we’re concerned that going forward, we won’t be able to provide that high level of service to our community,” said Lowe.

The province said the approach supports fiscal responsibility while maintaining a blended model of public services.

“We are providing an opportunity for each municipality to choose how they would like to proceed while EHS does our part to support the delivery of high-quality services, while maintaining a fiscally responsible approach,” said Kyle Warner, press secretary to the Ministry of Hospital and Surgical Health Services.

Alberta Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association president Elliot Davis said the province is using “strong arm” negotiation tactics.

“The sentiment really feels like those of us who provide a great service, aren’t really true partners in the provision of the service,” said Davis. “They use partnership language, but they don’t treat us or our employers like they’re actually partners.”

He said Jones has refused to meet with the union.

“I understand he believes it would be inappropriate given that we don’t represent an actual party holder, we represent the people who fulfill the contract … but we can’t even have a discussion with him on it," Davis added

“We’re trying to get answers. We’re trying to understand this so we can formulate our response and show that we’re partners in the discussion.”

The province said it cannot provide cost details due to confidentiality agreements.

City of Red Deer administration recommended that council authorize Mayor Cindy Jefferies to send a letter to Minister Matt Jones and request a meeting after municipalities were given 13 days to make a decision.

The province has since extended the decision deadline from March 31 to April 30 to “support municipal decision-making.”

Several municipalities confirmed they received notification from the province including Leduc, Spruce Grove, Fort McMurray, St. Albert, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Strathcona County.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nicole Weisberg