City reveals EMS cost pressures, continues push for sustainable solution

Following Council’s decision to not accept the new provincial contract conditions for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), work has been ongoing to preserve the City’s integrated Fire & EMS system. This includes discussions with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union.

“As we have said from the beginning, City Council supports our integrated service and is looking for sustainable ways to continue providing EMS in our community,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “I personally believe we have brought forward tangible solutions to the IAFF. We want to be open and transparent with our residents on the efforts we are putting forward and provide a clear understanding of the challenges we’re facing.”

ALTA Paramedic Health (APH), formerly Emergency Health Services (EHS) - Alberta, has indicated that the City’s EMS services are more costly than its benchmark. One of the main drivers of this difference is wages. In some instances, LFES employees staffing ambulances make close to 40 per cent higher than the EHS Benchmark. See backgrounder below for detailed wage comparators.

City Proposal to IAFF
Following direction from Council, City Administration met with IAFF Local 237 to propose options aimed at better aligning Lethbridge EMS compensation with provincial paramedic rates. IAFF has since advised that it is not prepared to accept the City’s proposal.

The option proposed by City Administration would help reduce projected tax subsidies to support the integrated service. However, it would not eliminate an increase to property taxes.  Part of the option proposed by City Administration also included wage adjustments for the LFES Chief and Deputy Chiefs.

“In my opinion, there are several things that need to be addressed to get us to the appropriate costing level, but wages are a big part of that solution,” says Mayor Hyggen. “The City is also actively looking at other ways to address cost pressures.”

Next Steps
At this time, the City will prepare to respond to a potential procurement process for local EMS service delivery and any other opportunities for further negotiations with partners.

The City hopes to continue discussions with IAFF and City administration will continue to work on finding ways to create efficiencies and cost savings.

More information and background are available at https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/ems-contract.

Backgrounder

Cost Calculations

When calculating its benchmark EMS delivery rate, APH has indicated that it used the rates paid to its own Advance Care Paramedics (ACP) and Primary Care Paramedics (PCP), represented by the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) union.

The City faces significant financial pressures to meet these provincial cost expectations under its current compensation structure as an integrated service. All LFES employees currently get paid a fire fighter wage which is much higher than the HSAA paramedic rates.

The City has calculated the difference between the yearly wages paid to APH employees vs. LFES EMS employees. These comparisons are based on publicly available data and are intended to provide high-level context, taking into account base wages, differentials and premiums.

Current wage comparison

LFES 1st Class Fire Fighter (>4 years of service) 2025 rate vs APH Advanced Care Paramedic/Primary Care Paramedic Step 5 2025 (5 years service) rate

Historical Integrated Structure 

The City’s integrated service means employees are cross-trained as both fire fighters and paramedics. This allows for a coordinated response and efficiencies in staffing. Traditionally, new LFES employees were provided with fire training following their hire but served the first part of their career (approximately 5-8 years) predominantly as a paramedic. They could however be dispatched to aid in fire suppression while responding on an ambulance.  

Under this model, all LFES employees are paid the fire fighter rate which is based on comparative fire fighter rates within the province. 

Introduction of the EMS division

During the last round of EMS contract negotiations with the Province, the City was advised that for any contract renewal or extension, the City would no longer be allowed to dispatch ambulances to support fire calls.

In response, the City worked with IAFF Local 237 during collective bargaining to create a new EMS Division.

• The goal of the EMS Division was to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs, recognizing paramedics would no longer be allowed to provide fire support
• The model allows LFES employees to transition into firefighter roles over time, while delaying training and adjusting wages until they reach that position
• It also gives employees the option to remain in the EMS Division as career paramedics
• This approach is a first-of-its-kind model which was aimed at helping reduce the wage gap between LFES and provincial (APH) benchmark rates while maintaining integrated services

New EMS division wage comparison

The new EMS division established lower wages rates for new LFES hires. However, the rates are still significantly above HSAA rates.  

LFES 1st Class EMS Division Employee (>4 years of service) 2025 rate vs APH Advanced Care Paramedic/Primary Care Paramedic Step 5 (5 years of service) 2025 rate.

Note: This new wage structure has not yet been implemented and only applies to new LFES employees hired after December 2, 2025.

Why hasn’t the EMS Division been implemented?  

The EMS Division was slated to be gradually implemented following ratification of the new collective agreement on December 2, 2025. Hiring into the new EMS Division was paused when the City was notified on March 13, 2026 of the new APH contract conditions. The City did not expect to realize the full cost savings of the EMS Division for seven to ten years due to staff attrition. When fully implemented, the new model is expected to save approximately $700,000/year.

Who is responsible for providing ambulance services in Alberta?  

In 2009, the provincial government assumed responsibility for the delivery of centralized ambulance services through Alberta Health Services. Although this change moved the responsibility and control of ambulance services to the province, City continued to provide ground ambulance services in Lethbridge under contract with Alberta Health Services, now APH. Under the provincial model, APH is responsible for directing resources and determining provincial service levels. 

Note: The wage comparisons provided are for high-level context only. There are a multitude of items that factor into total compensation such as overtime, paid leaves, benefits, pension etc.