StettlerLocal.com December 28, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Linda Borg says ordering ambulances is not a fast process.
The Stettler District Ambulance Association manager says two brand-new ambulances have finally arrived in town.
"The ambulances went in service last week after a long 18-month wait from order date," she says.
The new vehicles appear to be worth the wait, due to upgraded technology which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-changing alerts.
"It has the new Stryker Generation II power loads and stretchers," says Borg, "with flip-down steps for easier entrance and exit of patients, and a few new features with the inside configuration for ease of working in the back."
The Stettler District Ambulance Association has two ambulances in service per day. One is an Advanced Care Life Support ambulance that works 12-hour shifts, and the other is an Advanced Care Life Support ambulance working a core/flex shift.
"We then have one ambulance which is a mechanical backup," says Borg. "We also have our Chev Tahoe which is our Paramedic Response Unit."
So what happens to the old ambulances?
Borg says the old units are being decommissioned, meaning all decals, technology, sirens, and lights are removed or disabled. Then the vehicles are made available for public sale.
"Our last ambulance was purchased by someone in Calgary who was going to convert it to a camper van," says Borg.
The Stettler ambulance service is relatively small compared to others in the province, but Borg says local practitioners work hard at setting high industry standards, and they also make the service as special and successful as it is.
She notes our ambulance service is progressive. For example, Stettler has certain equipment that the majority Alberta services – including AHS – don't have, such as IV Pumps and a LUCAS Chest Compression System.
Borg says they're currently negotiating another service agreement with AHS.
"We appreciate the support of the community over the past couple years to help achieve a longer more sustainable service agreement with AHS," she says. "We are hopeful we will continue to grow and receive the funding we need to achieve our strategic goals."
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