Resolutions

Whereas The Saskatchewan Ambulance Act has remained largely unchanged for decades, despite significant advancements in healthcare delivery and substantial demographic shifts across the Province; and

Whereas current provisions, governing the licensing of ambulance operators and the designation of service districts and their EMS providers, may limit flexibility and hinder equitable access to emergency medical services across urban and rural municipalities and also where EMS services are not meeting performance expectations; and

Whereas modernizing these provisions would enable operational efficiency, encourage collaboration among service providers and align Saskatchewan’s EMS framework with best practices adopted in other jurisdictions, including performance-based contracts, that municipalities can provide input on; and

Whereas municipal fire departments across Saskatchewan are increasingly required to respond to medical emergencies, providing critical support and backstopping Emergency Medical Services (EMS); and

Whereas EMS services are funded through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), while fire departments receive no compensation for these medical responses despite incurring significant costs in personnel, training and equipment; and

Whereas no policy or funding is in place to allow municipal fire departments to transfer patients in emergency situations, if deemed the best option, when no ambulance is available; and

Whereas the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading fire department infrastructure, equipment and apparatus have risen dramatically in recent years, placing significant financial strain on municipalities; and

Whereas ensuring timely and equitable access to emergency medical services is essential for public safety, health outcomes and maintaining public confidence in the healthcare system; 

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to:

• review and amend The Saskatchewan Ambulance Act, specifically the provisions governing the licensing of ambulance operators and the designation of service districts, with the objective of ensuring timely and equitable access to emergency medical services across Saskatchewan; and
• establish a formal cost-sharing mechanism between the Government of Saskatchewan and municipalities to maintain and upgrade fire department infrastructure, equipment, and apparatuses; and
• compensate municipal fire departments for their role in responding to medical emergencies, recognizing their contribution to the province’s integrated emergency response system.