Dispatch change affects 911 and fire

Times Contributor    

 

Whether Wheatland County retains its local 911 call intake and fire dispatch, or contracts the service out to another provider is a question that local municipalities and fire associations will have to address. The problem is one that resulted from the provinces move to consolidate Wheatland County EMS dispatch. 

“Right now we are funded by Alberta Health Services for EMS dispatch. When we transition and EMS is being done from Calgary, we lose that funding. From a WADEMSA standpoint, there needs to be a strong will to keep our 911 and fire dispatch local,” said Rob Witty, Wheatland and District Emergency Medical Services Association (WADEMSA) Operations Director. 

“We will need the funding support from our municipalities make that viable. Neither Alberta Health Services, nor no one provincially is looking to fund it. Alberta Health Service’s focus is strictly on EMS. They have said they will not dispatch fire responders, it is not their responsibility, but the responsibility of fire dispatch centres.” 

On April 29, Reeve Glenn Koester asked a number of Wheatland municipal representatives and fire chiefs to garner support for the services.

Koester said there were services in Black Diamond or Calgary that could be approached to take over the service, but he felt it wouldn’t be wise, as the existing service worked well and the community was invested in the system. Four local dispatch staff positions would also be lost if the service was contracted out. 

“It is fact and reality for the municipalities that we built a system that integrates and works for our partners. Our first responders are integral. We have long response times to our rural areas. If we get first responders there, to care for our patients before the ambulance arrives, it is our best efforts to create good patient care,” said Witty.

“I think it is paramount that the fire departments have input into that decision, because they are the stakeholders that utilize that system. They are the ones that need to give feedback to the municipalities. If they say yes, then it is our responsibility to make that happen,” said Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke.

Witty previously polled Wheatland County Fire Chiefs advising them on changes to the dispatch system. At the last fire chiefs meeting, Witty said they passed a unanimous motion supporting retention of the local fire dispatch. 

Keeping the service would mean that ratepayers would have to pay an approximate total of $14 a month and all municipal partners would have to agree to contribute their equal share. A commitment from the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County were essential for the plan to work.

“When you consider that they are paying $36 for garbage pickup, it doesn’t seem like a lot of money,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. 

Those in attendance had doubts that the transitioned EMS dispatch would not leave gaps in service that local fire first responders would have to fill. They agreed keeping the dispatch service would ensure ratepayers have a good system in place, while the EMS system proved itself. They also suggested that if the service was kept, there could be areas of future expansion that may lower costs.

The province had directed a review and analysis of local 911 call systems and operator standards and another review is being done on fire first responders. Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs, Greg Weadick is gathering information for a report on first responders and fire dispatch. He will be holding an open house about that, in Calgary on May 30. Koester suggested Wheatland fire departments work with WADEMSA to draft a report to present to Weadick at the meeting.

There is proposed legislation to divert money from cell phone provider contracts to help support 911-Public Service Answering Point’s (PSAP). 

“The fee is going only to the PSAP’s. They don’t know how much it is. They will get their first money in the bucket in December and they won’t start paying out until April. These payments will be available through grants. As long as the money is earmarked to the PSAP Centre they will approve it,” said Kevin Link, WADEMSA Paramedic, who attended a meeting in Red Deer where the issue was discussed 

The municipal grant would help to lower ratepayer fees that support both the 911/fire dispatch. Koester also said that donations or fundraisers could generate funds. Koester anticipated be delays while EMS dispatch transitioned and all the reviews and reports were completed. 

“If we can hang on for a whole year, if we can make that dollar commitment, at least we can make an informed decision by next summer,” said Koester.

Whatever changes occurred, Koester wanted to reassure residents that Wheatland council’s emergency response services will step up and work out ways to provide care for the residents of Wheatland County.