Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman -- LNN file photo

By Connor Gunn

Spearman responds to Wood Buffalo voting to take back EMS dispatch

Feb 10, 2021 | 2:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– One day after the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says it will no longer transfer emergency medical calls to provincial 911 dispatch centres, Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman, has responded.

After multiple efforts from mayors from across Alberta regarding the consolidation of EMS dispatch services, RM of Wood Buffalo council voted to localize dispatch services over concerns and delays.

Previous story: Mayors want immediate investigation into EMS dispatch outage

Recently, Spearman has said “fix this now,” noting the consolidation of dispatch services has only caused delays.

“There has been no accountability at the provincial level,” Spearman adds, saying Lethbridge has been affected greatly.

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Mayor Don Scott of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, says there are circumstances when acts of defiance and resistance are necessary.

Scott says the decision made by the United Conservative government last fall to consolidate dispatch services across the province is putting the health of the municipality’s residents at risk.

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Spearman said in the call with LNN, he does not know what will happen with Lethbridge’s services, but council will surely talk about the city’s plans at a later date.