June 23, 2022
COLD LAKE – Alberta Health Services (AHS), the City of Cold Lake, and Cold Lake Ambulance Society (CLAS) are jointly announcing that a new provider, Associated Ambulance, will be taking over Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Cold Lake, from CLAS.
Associated Ambulance will begin providing ambulance service on September 1, 2022, and will continue to provide three ambulances to serve the community. Services will not change. Staff members of CLAS are being offered the opportunity to transition to Associated Ambulance.
For almost five decades, CLAS has provided dedicated care in the community, and has made the decision to cease ambulance operations. Plans are in place to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Patients needing EMS care in Cold Lake and area will continue to receive high-quality response to emergency care needs.
"AHS and CLAS have enjoyed a strong working relationship, and we thank CLAS for their partnership and longstanding service to their community," shares Rob Barone, Associate Executive Director, EMS North Zone. "We look forward to working with Associated Ambulance moving forward."
Since 1977, Associated Ambulance has been a trusted service partner with AHS EMS delivering Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance services. Situated in 21 rural municipalities, Associated Ambulance operates 38 front-line ambulances currently covering a geographic area of 108,000 square kms and attending to over 32,000 calls per year.
"We are fortunate to be working in partnership with the City of Cold Lake and CLAS to transition services seamlessly," says Terry Schueler, CEO, Associated Ambulance. "We are also grateful for the many years of experience CLAS staff and paramedics will be bringing to our organization. Associated Ambulance looks forward to being part of the Cold Lake community and investing in the future delivery of quality healthcare,"
CLAS has been in operation since 1975 and has provided services to more than 14,000 residents in a service area which spans over 4,300 square kilometers in North Zone.
"We extend thanks to our CLAS paramedic staff and administrative personnel for their commitment in the provision of quality healthcare to the Cold Lake area residents," says Debra Petrochsky, President of the Cold Lake Ambulance Society. "We'd also like to recognize the continued support from AHS, the City of Cold Lake, and numerous community supporters."
"We wish to commend CLAS for its years of dedicated ambulance service to the community. The City of Cold Lake is looking forward to a strong working relationship with Associated Ambulance and we are pleased to know the staff who have served our community for so many years will continue to be the ones providing service in the future," according to Kevin Nagoya, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Cold Lake.
AHS, the City of Cold Lake and Associated Ambulance will continue to work together through this transition period and beyond to ensure service in Cold Lake remains robust and sustainable.
AHS works with partner agencies to deliver EMS services in communities across Alberta, and together with these agencies responds to more than 589,000 calls per year in Alberta.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
