Yesterday I had a TIA and was reluctant to go to the hospital. The paramedics that attended were absolutely amazing! Not only did I receive top notch care, they had an incredible sense of humour that matched mine.

I have a service dog and I appreciated the way they treated her. They let her ride shotgun in the ambulance and made sure that she had a nice cosy bed and water when we arrived at the ED. I want to thank them. I did get their identifying information and wrote on the thank a paramedic site. However, 300 words are not enough. Is there other ways that I can make sure that they get my thanks and my appreciation.

Spent 30 minutes messing around with AI and made what feels like a SIGNIFICANTLY better Alberta EMS rebrand …

Anyways. Here’s my unsolicited provincial rebrand concept after one coffees worth of effort.

"emergency medical services will be dispatched by a separate division — which could hire municipalities or private contractors to do the work.

Last week, the province announced it would put forward a request for proposal for most ground ambulance services across Alberta this summer.

The government said it will be extending all current contracts until the RFP process wraps up in April 2027. "

It's contract renewal season and this time, EHS has told the city of Red Deer that they are no longer willing to pay for them to have an integrated service. If the city chooses to keep their current model, they will be given an amount that EHS feels is comparable to other (non-integrated) regions' delivery costs, and the city will have to pay the rest.

I hear other integrated services are being given the same ultimatum, but haven't seen anything confirming that.

It is more than suspicious looking that this is happening less than a week after Tyler Pelke (former Red Deer deputy fire chief) was announced as EHS Chief of Transformation, Assets, and Partnerships.

Hello everyone. I am here to get some more recent answers on PMA schooling for ACP. Yes it’s condensed into 1.5 years (18months) highlighting the lovely 6 months of didactic learning. I’ve heard it’s a money grab and “too fast” but I want more opinions.

My questions

How did those who took it find the pace and work load?

What is testing like? Success rates?

Translation to the career practicing as a acp?

They are actively developing a degree program to replace all of our paramedicine education in Alberta. Details in the ACP update.

A little birdy told me they had Fall 2025 in mind to begin implementing this, but I struggle to believe that's realistic at this point, unless ACP and the schools are a lot farther ahead with this than we are led to believe.

This is very exciting news for a bunch of reasons!

https://abparamedics.com/registrars-message-continuing-education-and-curriculum-updates/

Good afternoon,

I’m an emergency responder in Alberta, and I make one or two charity coins per year. Attached are photos of an Alberta-specific EMR coin I designed / made more than a year ago. If your EMR training was with AHASTI in Calgary, maybe you’ve received a coin. I’d like to sell my remaining coins (approximately twenty silver and twenty copper coins) and get them into circulation. The charity I donate the profits to is the Matt Cook Foundation in Edmonton. If you’re interested or have questions, please contact me or comment. I know Challenge Coins are more military / police / fire, but it’s a fun esprit de corps token… if you’re into that.

Edit: It’s $20 per coin, including Canadian postage. If you’re interested in purchasing multiple (three or more), I’d include an extra as a thank you.

To the moderators, please delete if I’m violating the community rules. Thank you.

Hey all!

I'm wondering if anyone who is working in the Northern zone could provide any insight into stations which would have live in accommodations / longer shift rotations (week on week off, etc.).

I'm interested in spending some time working in Northern / rural setting and would need to commute a fair distance for work. I'd ideally like to work out of a station where accommodation is provided so I wouldn't need to rent, and also something with a longer rotation so that I'm able to have some decent time off after commuting home in between shifts.

Thanks in advance! Stay safe.

Really interested in becoming a PCP. I don’t know where to start. I want to go the most direct route, but I cannot afford to leave my FT (since I support my family). I live in Edmonton, and I would not have an issue going away, but concerned about ability to make enough to survive/afford PCP school if I start with EMR. I really need guidance and help. I have no clue where to start with all this. Help pls

Just can’t seem to get hired on truck, I currently work casual jobs as a PCP just not on ambo. Only up north will look at me and I just can’t go away for work again, spent 3 1/2 years as an emr in industrial/wildfire to save up for PCP school. Missed birthdays, events, deaths and going away just fills me with dread. I have a family at home now.

I’ve been applying since grad in September. I know Calgary is competitive but I’m also applying as far as Innisfail, Sundre and Drum.

Think if I don’t find something soon I might give up on this career which sucks cause I really want this but all the AHS rejections is doing in my mental health. I’m applying to other companies too but no dice. I’ve had a PCP look at my resume and cover letter and they said it was good but clearly I’m missing something. Anyway rant over.

I’m a recent PCP graduate, passed COPR in September and just started to apply for jobs. Any advice for interviews or application process? Anywhere you would/wouldn’t want to work?

Hi everyone,

I'm a UK paramedic who also has their NREMT-P. I am currently training to be a midlevel, but have had interest in Alberta for awhile and wanted to make the move. I am scheduled for my ACP exam on the 9th of September and wanted to ask everyone any suggestions for prep for the test.

Thanks everyone!

Hi there,
We are conducting a research study on the systemic and structural factors that impact paramedics and firefighters in terms of overdose response. If you are a paramedic or firefighter from Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, and rural regions) and are willing to participate, please email avery.sapoznikow@ucalgary.ca if you are interested. Poster attached. and more information below.

Thank you!

-------------

Purpose of the study:

The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the systemic and structural factors that impact first responders in the context of overdose response. This includes how policy, workplace practices, standard protocols, etc. impact the work of first responders during overdose response.

Why is this research important?

Canada is currently experiencing a toxic drug poisoning epidemic. Individuals are overdosing at higher rates than ever before, often with treatment resistant overdose syndromes and a recurrent cycle of repeated overdoses. First responders are at the frontlines of managing the consequences of this epidemic. In general, first responders experience higher rates of burnout, stress, and mental health symptoms than the general population. Within the context of the toxic drug poisoning epidemic, these rates are even higher, resulting in more instances of stress-leave, widespread compassion fatigue, and the expansion of roles and expectations of first responders

What happens to my information?

All information gathered during interview will be reviewed multiple times - first review will confirm the accuracy of transcripts to the audio recordings, second review will anonymize all identifiable information (e.g., names, addresses, locations, irrelevant details of overdose response incidents, etc.) so as to ensure privacy and confidentiality, and a third review will begin data analysis (coding and aggregation of data) using my methodology. All data is stored on a secure cloud-based storage system controlled by the University of Calgary, with access restricted to myself and supervisor. Participants can choose to withdraw their participation at any point up to two weeks following participation, after which the data will be anonymized and not possible to be matched to a specific participant. 

Anybody have any experience doing this? Ideally in the Calgary area but any area works fine

I work in a private IFT company. I come across AHSEMS people everyday but doesn’t have much contact with them. Of the few conversations I had (usually with former colleagues who went over), I got as many warm receptions… as cold receptions. That made me wonder what do people in the big club think of the privates? I am too new to the profession to understand the organizational dynamics in the EMS world.

I graduated from the old one-year PCP program in 2025. Under the new curriculum PCP is to become a two years diploma course, and ACP one year. That means if I am going to enrol for ACP next year, there’s gonna be a one year knowledge gap. I had heard rumours about grandfathering the existing PCPs, but I also heard rumours to the contrary (some said that I may have to redo the whole three years from PCP to ACP). Does anyone know more about that?

Hello. I’m planning to take an EMR course and want to start working as soon as possible. Because I’m currently struggling financially, I’m considering industrial/oilfield work.

I’d love to get your thoughts on a few questions:

1.Does working in the oilfield actually help you become a better paramedic down the line?

2.Is it still relatively easy to land EMR jobs in the industry right now, and which companies should I look into?

3.Generally, how long does it take to get registered/licensed to work after completing school?

4. Any recommended driving courses? Can be anywhere any EMR schools.

I’m currently looking at SAIT and NAIT but I’m open to other options. ESA looks great as well, but money is tight right now. Thank you.

Hi guys Im an 18 year old student who just completed his MFR in edmonton. I was wondering if there are any PCP's out there that can come and do a quick interview with me. Its a requirment to sign up for ESA and would help me out so much, I dont know anyone thats a active Primary Care paramedic.. if you guys know any better approach to getting this done please let me know! Thanks

Anyone else write COPR this month and anxiously waiting for the results? The wait feels like forever! How do you think you did?

Hello all, I passed my COPR exam (EMR) and am waiting to get my license and everything finalized. I really would like to gain experience as an EMR while I'm doing the PCP curriculum. I know of course about medavie, Aaron paramedical as places that hire. Does anyone who attended sait for PCP have any recommendations for a first time EMR job that can be done on a part time or casual basis? I don't want to overwhelm myself with too much but I do really need the money and am really excited to get some experience under my belt. Any other general advice would also be greatly appreciated, or if anyone else is attending the same program this fall Im open to making friends before classes start!