05/08/2026
Credit to Rhonda F of Leduc. Thank you for sharing this information with our community. We should all be outraged.
Original Post - May 7, 2026
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As a resident of Leduc, I am deeply concerned about the possibility of our community losing its integrated Fire/EMS service model.
Like many people, I originally thought this was simply about “who runs the ambulances.” After learning more, I now understand it is much bigger than that. This decision could directly impact the level of emergency medical care available to our families, friends, and neighbours when seconds matter most.
Leduc Fire Services currently provides an integrated model where every full-time firefighter is also a licensed paramedic. In fact, 73% of full time staff are Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs), and 27% are Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs), meaning highly trained professionals are responding to emergencies throughout our community every single day, guaranteeing Advanced Life Support is available at all times.
These are the people providing emergent airway management, treating respiratory emergencies, provide advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation, symptom control for individuals remaining at home while receiving palliative end of life care, treating severe burns and other fire related injuries such as cyanide poisoning, and can treat prolonged seizures with advanced medications before a patient deteriorates. These are life-saving interventions for critically ill children and adults, and that’s not even scratching the surface on other treatments they can provide for pain, fever, nausea, headaches etc. which allow the practitioners to provide hospital-level care before patients even arrive at the ED.
What worries me most is that if Leduc loses EMS through Fire Services, we don’t just lose ambulances — we risk losing the advanced level of care currently available on our fire apparatus as well. In addition to withdrawing the delivery of ambulance services, City council has already voted to downgrade the skills and capabilities of 73% of those first responders so that even with ACPs on scene, they will have no equipment or medication to provide advanced life support, limiting providers to a basic life support level. Right now, even when an ambulance is delayed or responding from another community, Leduc residents still benefit from having ALS-trained firefighter-paramedics arrive quickly with advanced equipment and treatment capabilities, and all of that is about to dissolve. Imagine the turmoil those paramedics will feel have the knowledge and capacity to perform life saving measures, but no longer having the medications or equipment to do so, watching someone deteriorate while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, all while the family begs them to do something.
Leduc has invested heavily in this system. The crews are highly trained, the equipment is exceptional, and the city has built a service model that residents should be proud of. From advanced cardiac care equipment to specialized advanced airway training and equipment and training partnerships with other organizations (courses provided by STARS), this is not a basic service — it is a high-performing emergency response system built around patient care, with proven data on resuscitation outcomes.
I understand the financial pressures municipalities are facing, but public safety should not be compromised because healthcare costs are being shifted onto local communities by the provincial government. I understand city council is only trying to make the best decision with the information they have; but I don’t believe they have all of the information, and I wholeheartedly believe that the citizens of Leduc should understand the implications of losing our ambulance service. Why hasn’t the city put out any information on this important issue?!
Once a city gives up its ability to provide its own EMS, it is unlikely to ever get it back. Especially when it is being sold off to the lowest bidder in a time when there is already a shortage of ambulances and paramedics.
I support keeping EMS as part of Leduc Fire Services, and I hope our city fights to protect the level of care our community currently receives and deserves!!!!
