Welcome back to Alberta’s North Zone.Unfortunately. If you’re new here, buckle up. If you’ve been here before, you already know how this goes: we look at the data, leadership assures everyone things are improving, and then the numbers kick that narrative straight down the stairs. This latest deep dive wasn’t inspired by vibes, rumours, or “a feeling in the room.” It was inspired by FOIP data , you know, the stuff that costs real money, takes real time, and tends to make senio

Their “Research” Doesn’t Support Paramedic Care This feels almost unfairly easy. Hypothesis: If there’s no emergency, there’s no reason to turn a wheel. Too simple? Fine. Revised Hypothesis: If the trip is non-urgent and  the weather looks like the opening scene of an Arctic survival documentary, maybe, just maybe, there’s no reason to turn a wheel. Let’s test this radical concept with a few real-world examples. Example 1 Mary is admitted to a rural hospital. She needs an ort

Destroying EMS Dispatch. Dispatch used to be too simple. "What's the address... What's the phone number... What's wrong?" That was the complete interrogation narrative when I started at Calgary 911 Fire/EMS Dispatch. I don't remember ever running out of Ambulances, it just didn't happen. On January 1, 1990 EMS Dispatch separated from the Calgary Fire Department over the use of the new 'Emergency Medical Dispatch' Protocols. Paramedics were now able to ask questions about the

Once again, we’re back to talk about Alberta’s Ambulance service. And this time, hold onto your hats, because we’ve got fantastic  news! Paramedics have a brand-new “leadership” team to go along with their shiny new rebrand. 🎉 Which in Alberta Health Services terms means: same people, same paycheques, just a different title and maybe a LinkedIn post about ‘embracing new challenges.’ You’d think after years of failure someone would get fired, but apparently, in AHS, or EHS la