Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have come a long way in the Lakeland.
What would eventually become the EMS residents know today, began with a few volunteers operating out of shared space.
“It wasn't pretty in the beginning. We didn't have ambulatory services as we know it today back in the early 70s, we had a station wagon that the local constable was using for his operational routines. We would use that same vehicle, it was really just a black van with a red light on top,” detailed Ray Prevost, one of the first emergency medical technicians (EMT) in Bonnyville.
A few years later, the local hospital purchased the town's first ambulance, providing the group of volunteers with a base of operations.
Members of that team, lead by Prevost, would eventually go on to become the first registered EMTs in Bonnyville.
“In 1975, when we bought our first vehicle, we were still operating with volunteers. They would be given a pager, and when it went off they would respond,” Prevost explained. “For a few years, we had a good team of volunteers that were interested in taking the EMT course. Demand eventually grew to the point we needed a manager.”
Along with a few of his teammates, Prevost graduated from an EMT course in Edmonton in 1980.
This lead to a stronger base of registered EMTs across the region. Today, there are a total of 40 full-time employees at the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) EMS division's disposal.
“Where it is today is miles ahead of where we were at that time,” expressed Prevost.
Working closely with firefighting services and the local RCMP, the EMS division continues to diligently serve the Lakeland. On a monthly basis, they respond to an average of 232 calls.
At any given time, the BRFA has three fully equipped AHS certified ambulances, with a backup waiting in the wings.
In recent years, there has been a growing need for the EMS division within the community. The monthly call volume has increased by 20 per cent since 2013.
While they're capable of handling the workload they have now, BRFA chief Brian McEvoy is always on the lookout for qualified individuals.
“BRFA EMS division is a good place to work with a dedicated team of professionals who have a large body of experience to share. We are always interested in new members who are registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics and licenced to work in Alberta.”
From a small team of volunteers operating out of a van, to a team of 40 professionals working as a cohesive unit with other emergency services, there's no denying the impact EMS has had on the community.
“My hat goes off to EMS period. When you look back at how far the fire departments and medical services have come from 1975, it's remarkable. We can't thank them enough for the dedicated service they provide to keeping people in this community safe,” Prevost said.
