Cold Lake city council voices serious concerns about EMS response times

Cold Lake city council is voicing serious concerns about ambulance response times, after the local fire department had to handle 21 medical calls already this year. A recent report showed troubling delays, sometimes over 20 minutes, due to ambulance shortages and staffing issues with Alberta Health Services. Mayor Craig Copeland highlighted one incident when no local ambulances were available, and emergency crews had to wait for an ambulance from St. Paul. 

Council members stressed that slow response times put residents at risk, mentioning recent cases including a delayed ambulance at a children’s hockey tournament and a tragic incident near Highway 55. The city is now considering further discussions with health officials to urgently address these EMS challenges.