(Photo: City of Lethbridge)

By Christian Oldale

Lethbridge Fire Chief Adair celebrating very successful 2024

Dec 31, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Lethbridge Fire Chief Greg Adair is proud of a very productive and successful year for Lethbridge Fire & Emergency Services.

Adair says that in 2024, LFES responded to a similar number of calls as in 2023, but saw a reduction in ambulance calls.

“From an EMS perspective, our ambulance calls have gone down about 10 to 15% from our previous year. However, the acuity of our patients, the seriousness and the sickness that we’re experiencing remains quite high. So our EMS crews, albeit are responding to fewer calls, they’re still responding to a number of serious calls within our community.”

In addition to the response numbers, LFES saw some major initiatives implemented in 2024. In April, LFES signed a two and a half year EMS contract with Alberta Health Services, with the option to extend it for another two and a half years once it expires.

Adair also highlighted the many community partnerships that LFES has fostered this year, highlighting one in particular.

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Adair says the community initiatives are a big priority for him and LFES, as it is important to create a positive relationship with residents of Lethbridge. He adds that the public has been very supportive in 2024 and years prior, which helps provide feedback on how to improve programs.

Heading into 2025, Adair says more big things are on the horizon, including ramping up recruitment efforts after a strong 2024 that saw 13 additional firefighter paramedics brought on. In 2025, Adair says they will expand their 911 centre with the addition of bringing on Blood Tribe Fire Department.

Adair also spoke on another new initiative, that will see LFES working with the Lethbridge Police Service.

Wildfire prevention, hiring and recruitment of EMS medical supervisors, and relocation of Fire Station 3 are among the other priorities that Adair highlighted for 2025.

Finally, Adair wants to send a message to everyone with LFES who worked so hard to make 2024 a very successful year.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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