RJ Sigurdson is honoured to co-chair the committee formed to address Alberta's EMS services.

The Highwood MLA will co-chair the committee with Grande-Prairie MLA Tracy Allard.

Health Minister Jason Copping announced the formation of the committee earlier this week, along with a 10-point plan from Alberta Health Services.

Alberta's ambulance woes have been brought to the forefront in the last few months, with a union representing frontline EMS workers creating a Facebook page dedicated to shedding light on long response times and 'red alerts,' which occur when no ambulances are available in a given region.

Sigurdson says the committee will be able to provide a broad range of perspectives on the issue.

"I do believe we do have a group of remarkable individuals and leaders who care about EMS and have a concern over EMS at this time and are really looking forward to contributing to this committee. It's a mix of paramedics, rural and urban associations, firefighters, representatives from First Nation Metis communities, AHS, EMS, contracted ambulance operators, as well as advocators for patients and their families."

Of all the groups that will be consulted during the process, Sigurdson says ambulance workers are the most crucial.

"I personally believe the most critical piece of this is listening to our frontline workers and supporting our frontline workers. Our EMS staff across all of Alberta have to be a part of the process. I've always said that some of the best solutions always come from those on the frontlines."

Many have pointed to the consolidation of EMS services in April 2020 as a root cause of the issue.

According to Sigurdson, it's yet to come up in conversation with EMS workers, but it's very likely to later down the line.

"So far to date, I have met with a lot of EMS frontline staff, and they haven't brought that as a principal concern, but I know it's going to be a part of the discussion as far as the dispatch goes within the process."

He says an external analysis is underway that will examine 9-1-1 consolidation.

Sigurdson's passion for the issue is rooted in his early years.

"I have some knowledge in this area, both from having a mother who was a nurse for decades within the hospital system and having a father who himself was a paramedic, was the superintendent for the City of Calgary EMS, and as well a private operator who was working with a public/private partnership to do interfacility transfers, oilfield standbys, rodeo standbys... He was the one that provided me the background information I utilize as much as I can now."

Given his new elevated role in the province's response to the issue, Sigurdson emphasized that EMS workers are not to blame for delayed response times.

"I just want to make sure everybody's aware that this is not a reflection of the ongoing commitment and dedication of our frontline EMS personnel that work within our communities every day. These individuals go out and give their all, and they're working extremely hard. Moving forward, this committee and the process is all about supporting them in their work to ensure we're providing the best service possible for their communities."

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