Emergency Services News & Updates

Find news releases and public service announcements related to Red Deer's Emergency Services staffing.

EMS Service Delivery Update – May 12, 2026

At its May 12, 2026, meeting, Red Deer City Council made a decision about the future of ambulance service delivery in Red Deer.

What Council Decided

City Council directed Administration to:

  • Continue delivering ambulance services through The City’s integrated Fire and EMS model
  • Continue working with Emergency Health Services (EHS) Alberta on a longer-term EMS agreement
  • Renew the current EMS agreement while discussions continue
  • Provide the municipal tax funding support required to maintain the current integrated model

Financial Impact

The Province of Alberta recently introduced a new standardized EMS funding model for municipalities. The Province’s funding does not fully cover The City’s current cost to deliver integrated Fire and EMS services.

This creates a multi-million-dollar funding gap for Red Deer.

Based on current estimates:

  • Maintaining the integrated model could require an approximate 1.7% municipal tax increase beginning in 2027
  • The final financial impact will depend on ongoing discussions between The City and the Province of Alberta

What This Means

Red Deer’s integrated Fire and EMS model will continue. This model allows firefighter-paramedics to respond to medical emergencies from fire apparatus in addition to ambulance crews.

What Happens Next

Administration will:

  • Renew the current EMS agreement with EHS Alberta
  • Continue discussions with the Province regarding a longer-term agreement
  • Explore operational and financial options related to the long-term sustainability of the integrated model

Information about operational adjustments and staffing levels at Station #2

The following are periods of reduced capacity, equipment outages, and dynamic staffing changes (from April 11, 2025 - November 30, 2025):

Date Impact Reason Duration Coverage
April 11, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Until noon: April 11, 2025 Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 13, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Evening shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 23, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Evening shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 24, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Evening shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 25, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Evening shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 26, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Morning shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 26, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with full ambulance staff, and no fire. Illness/employee unavailable Evening / overnight shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
April 27, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Morning shift Remains uninterrupted – support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 4, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Until noon: May 4, 2025 Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 5, 2025 Station#2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 9, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with full ambulance staff, and no fire. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 10, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters (3 for part of the shift) on the truck instead of 4.  Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 11, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Day shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 11, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 18, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 19, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 24, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed, and will be a support unit until noon.  Illness/employee unavailable  Morning shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
May 29, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed, and will be a support unit of 2 tonight.  Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 1, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed, and will be operating as a 2 person support crew. Ilness/employee unavailable Day shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 3, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed, and will be a support unit of 2 tonight.  Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 5, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with full ambulance staff, and no fire. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 6, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed.
Ambulance still in service.		 Illness/employee unavailable 6-8 p.m. Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 8, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed, and will be a support unit of 3 tonight. Illness/employee unavailable midnight - 8 p.m. Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 9, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable 6 p.m. - 8 a.m. Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 18, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Day shift
Night shift		 Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 19, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
June 20, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 5, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 until midnight, at which time it will become a 3 person support company. Illness/employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 6, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4. Illness/employee unavailable  Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 9, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 Illness/employee unavailable  Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 10, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 Illness/employee unavailable  Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 11, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 3 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 Illness/employee unavailable  Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 12, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 Illness/employee unavailable  Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 12, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with 2 firefighters on the truck instead of 4 Illness/employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 13, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is closed for the night shift. Illness/employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 14, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is closed for the night shift. Illness/employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 19, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4. Leaves of absence/employee unavailability Day Shift (before noon) Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 20, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 3 firefighters instead of 4. Employee unavailability Morning shift (after midnight) Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 20, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 3 firefighters instead of 4. Leaves of absence/staff unavailability Day shift (before noon) Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 21, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 3 firefighters instead of 4. Leaves of absence/staff unavailability Morning shift (after midnight) Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 22, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 23, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Employee unavailability Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 24, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Employee unavailability Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 27, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Employee unavailability Day shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 29, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
July 30, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4.  Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 6, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 7, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 8, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 firefighters instead of 4. Illness/Employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 9, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with full ambulance staff, and no fire. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 10, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee unavailable Day shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 14, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 15, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 22, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 23, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 30, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is open and operational with full ambulance staff, and no fire. Illness/Employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
August 31, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is closed for the night shift. Illness/Employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 2, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 7, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 8, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 10, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 3 person support Illness/Employee Unavailable Night shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 14, 2025 Station #2 fully staffed, utilizing overtime (Dynamic Staffing Not Implemented) Uninterrupted Coverage Night shift Five staff members were scheduled to complete their reclassification exam. Under the collective agreement, they are entitled to have the preceding night off. Overtime was therefore scheduled and approved in advance, as this was not the result of last-minute absences or sick calls.
September 15, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 16, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 20, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station #2 operating with 3 person support Illness/Employee unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 23, 2025 Station #4 operating as a 2 person support. Emergency exercise Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 24, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 25, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is closed for the night shift. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 26, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. The station is closed for the night shift. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
September 27, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station #2 operating with 2 person support from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and with 3 person support from 12 - 6 p.m. Illness/Employee Unavailable Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
October 2, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station #2 operating with 3 person support from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and with 2 person support from 12 - 8 a.m Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
October 4, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station #2 operating with 3 person support from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and with 2 person support from 12 - 8 a.m Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
October 5, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed. Station is operating with 2 person support. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
October 10, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed; operating as a 3-person support company. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed
October 11, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed; operating with 3 person support from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and with 2 person support from 12 - 8 a.m Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed
October 13, 2025 Station #2 is a 3-person support until midnight then 2-person support until 6 a.m. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed
October 30, 2025 Station #2 is a 3-person support until midnight then 2-person support until 6 a.m. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed
October 31, 2025 Station #2 not fully staffed; ambulance is still operational. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
November 1, 2025 Station #2 is a 3-person support after midnight. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
November 14, 2025 Station # 2 is a 2-person support company; ambulance is still operational.  Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
November 15, 2025 Station # 2 is a 2-person support company; ambulance is still operational.  Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
November 28, 2025 Station #2 is a 3-person support after midnight. Illness/Employee Unavailable Night Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.
November 30, 2025 Engine #2 shut down during the day. Full staff; however, Capt unavailable for today. Employee Unavailable Day Shift Remains uninterrupted - support from neighbouring stations are available if needed.