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Wood Buffalo may be the first, but more could depart EMS dispatch system

WOOD BUFFALO (660NEWS) – The first domino has fallen after the municipality of Wood Buffalo has opted out of the provincial EMS dispatching system, but its Mayor says they may not be the only ones to opt-out.

Wood Buffalo Fire Chief Jody Butz adds they ran into the same issues they flagged to the province before transitioning to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Provincial Dispatch Centre.

Local addressing has been one of the biggest concerns where Butz added one caller had been transferred three times and had to give his address six times during one call.

Mayor Don Scott says they may not be the only ones who decide to leave AHS’ system.

“I understand that there is at least one municipality considering the same action. I won’t disclose which municipality that is, they would want to announce that themselves, but I don’t think we’re going to be standing alone in taking this action,” Scott said and added why Calgary could take another approach.

“Calgary is in a different position and may take different actions. So, they are unique in their own situation.”

660NEWS reached out to Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s office for comment and what their next steps are.

Wood Buffalo council voted unanimously to leave the provincial system, and Scott says his job is to keep his residents safe and healthy.

“Municipal governments are elected to protect their residents and protecting their health is one of their key jobs. And if that means defying a decision of the province, then so be it. And that’s exactly what we’re doing and exactly what we’ve done,” he said.

Scott adds he has been asked if he will face any repercussions from this decision and he stands by it.

“People have asked me as a mayor whether I’m concerned that we may be removed as a council or I may be removed as a Mayor. I challenge the provincial government to remove me as a mayor, I believe in this cause enough that I stand by it completely.”