Cold Lake Fire-Rescue is being called more often to assist with medical calls, raising concerns about ambulance pressures in the region and the added cost being placed on municipal emergency services.

The City of Cold Lake will continue seeking information from ALTA Paramedic Health regarding ambulance service levels in the region and the growing expectation that municipal fire-rescue crews be available to support EMS calls.

At its May 20 Corporate Priorities Meeting, chaired by Deputy Mayor Bill Parker, council heard Cold Lake Fire-Rescue is increasingly being requested at EMS calls for several reasons. In some cases, firefighters are asked to help lift patients. In others, crews are asked to provide comfort and support until an ambulance is available.

“The Cold Lake Fire-Rescue members are exceptional at their jobs and are happy to help, but we need to recognize that this is an additional cost to the municipality, its budget, and a strain on our Fire-Rescue resources,” Parker said.

According to the City, medical assistance calls have increased sharply over the past three years.

Cold Lake Fire-Rescue responded to 36 medical assistance calls in 2023. That increased to 58 calls in 2024 and 78 calls in 2025. So far in 2026, firefighters have already been requested to assist with 16 medical calls.

While the increase suggests operational pressure on ambulance services in the region, it also places additional demand on Cold Lake Fire-Rescue and raises concerns for residents who may need emergency medical care.

The City says the cost of providing this assistance is not currently being recovered because ALTA Paramedic Health does not allow the municipality to bill the ambulance service provider or Alberta Health Services for this support.

Council directed administration to continue working with Alberta’s ambulance services leadership to better understand what is driving the increase in requests and to look for possible solutions.

The issue will remain on the City’s radar as the council continues to review emergency service pressures, costs, and regional healthcare needs.