Leadership for Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services says the past year has been a busy but positive one for the emergency services department.
LFES Chief Greg Adair says throughout 2024 the city’s 911 Call Centre has seen an increase in the call volume to dispatch for the 22 different fire centres throughout southern Alberta; included in these calls are those in Lethbridge for both EMS and fire in the city. Adair says the call volumes for EMS in Lethbridge have stabilized, but the complexity and acuity of these calls continue to increase. He adds fire response crews were also kept busy throughout the year, attending several serious calls throughout the city; staying on track and par with 2023 numbers.
“We have had a number of new leadership appointments for Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services in 2024. The first one we have hired a new Chief Fire Marshall who started in 2024, we have hired two new platoon chiefs [and] we have welcomed 13 new fire fighter-paramedic recruits to add to frontline operations,” Adair says. “We have added a health and wellness position specialist position in our department, mental health and wellness for our men and women is a significant opportunity we face every day and this position will help maintain that.”
Other events the LFES Chief highlights from the past year include city council approving the addition of four medical supervisor positions which will begin in 2025 and extending the AHS Ambulance EMS contract for the city. Adair says throughout 2024 there have also been several community partnerships the department has been involved with, including the launch of the Stop the Bleed Program with the the Lethbridge Hurricanes and visitlethbridge.com arena.
“The program is about providing training and medical equipment should there be a significant bleed event in a hockey game. So, should a skate hit one of someone’s arteries we have given them the training and medical equipment to address and help save a life.”
Looking forward to 2025, Adair says the department will be recruiting more firefighter paramedics and are looking to hire more than 10 people. He adds another focus is to continue to support the health and wellness of first responders and employees. As well the department will be launching the tactical EMS team, which will work high-risk events with Lethbridge Police.
