Town councillors say fond farewell to ambulance service

Breaking up is never easy.

Sometimes there is bitterness, but in this case there were only expressions of sadness, thanks and praise.

On April 1, the town handed over control of its ambulance service to Mayerthorpe-based Associated Ambulance, which has signed a contract with Alberta Health Services.

Associated Ambulance runs ambulance services in several communities. It has also taken over Westlock’s service. At their Monday meeting, Barrhead town councillors saluted ambulance staff in advance of the takeover, praising them for a “fantastic” service.

Deputy mayor Roy Ulmer, who was chairing the meeting in the mayor Brian Schulz’s absence, said the town had been proud to employ them and owed them a debt of gratitude.

He added the council was hoping ambulance employees would continue to provide a great service following the takeover.

“From personal experience I found them to be excellent,” he said. “We are going to miss them. We have been assured we can expect the same, if not a better service.”

“I am sorry to see them go,” said Coun. Dave McKenzie.

After the meeting, Schulz paid tribute to ambulance services director Trevor Trefanenko, who is losing his job under the takeover.

“He has single-handedly kept the service at the highest level it has ever been in our community,” he said. “I wish him the best in his future endeavours.”

“He has raised the bar for providing quality and compassionate service, and for that we are very thankful to him,” he added. “I understand that he and his family will be remaining in Barrhead. We are very fortunate if this is the case since he has been a very valuable member of the community.”

Schulz said attendants and ambulance staff had been very considerate and understanding about the transition. “I commend each one for their loyalty and dedication to Barrhead and for assisting whenever needed.”

In August 2011, the town started the process of divesting itself of the ambulance service when it sent a letter to AHS saying it would be ending its ambulance contract on April 1, 2012.

The decision fit into AHS’s strategy for the province to take over ambulance contracts across Alberta. Earlier this year, Schulz said the cost of providing a service was increasing.

Trefanenko has said the only change area residents should see is in paramedics’ uniform, which will be emblazoned with a new crest.

He said other staff would keep their jobs.

Last week, Trefanenko said he had been told that Associated Ambulance provided its own management team run from Mayerthorpe or Edmonton and had a system of “floating managers” who would drop in and out of towns.

“I would love to stay in EMS (emergency medical services), but I may look for another career in the health industry,” he said.

Trefanenko believed Associated Ambulance would prove a good provider for Barrhead’s ambulance service.

At Monday’s meeting, council approved an offer from Associated Ambulance &Service to buy two fully equipped ambulances and other EMS items from the council for $59,000.

The service will lease the ambulance bay near the Barrhead RCMP offices from the town.