CALGARY – For the first time since taking over ambulance services from municipalities in 2009, Alberta Health Services has set new response time benchmarks.
Under the new AHS EMS Performance Dashboard , a 90th percentile target of 12 minutes has been set for ambulances to respond to calls within the province’s urban areas. Prior to the AHS takeover, ambulances were expected to arrive at emergency calls within seven minutes in Calgary and nine minutes in Edmonton.
Longer targets have been set for areas outside the province’s larger centres. Excluding Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, a 90th percentile target has been set for 15 minutes in communities with more than 3,000 residents. In rural communities within 200 kilometres of urban centres, the 90th percentile target is 40 minutes while in remote rural communities beyond 200 kilometres of urban centres, the 90th percentile target is 75 minutes.
Earlier this year, four paramedics spoke to Global News about their concerns over rising ambulance response times.
“It’s terrifying,” one Edmonton area EMT told Global News during a special series called Code Red. “I’m thankful none of my family members have any severe ailments and my older family members don’t live in Alberta.”
In January, AHS’ Chief Paramedic and Senior Provincial Director told Global News AHS was working on improving the system.
“Currently our response time benchmarks are under review and that work is progressing,” said Darren Sandbeck.
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