The Badlands Ambulance Society, after half a year since officially handing the reigns of emergency medical services in the Drumheller area to Alberta Health Services (AHS), has officially disbanded.
At the Monday, October 7, meeting of Town Council, Councillor Doug Stanford, co-chair of the society, gave the society’s final report.
On September 30, the society held its final meeting. At the meeting, a motion was made to disburse the remaining funds in the society’s account, which amounted to $93,691.15.
The money was disbursed to member municipalities based on the proportion of funding each contributed.
Drumheller received $68,713.09, Starland County $17,820.96, Wheatland County $2,717.04, Morrin $2,192.37, Munson $1920.67, and Special Areas $327.92. The money was mailed out on October 3.
Since transferring services to AHS, the Badlands Ambulance Society has also given back to the community.
“When we transferred service to Alberta Health Services, we offered our ambulances and some of our equipment. They didn’t take the equipment and only took one ambulance, so we sold all of that,” said Stanford. “We used what we got to donate quite a bit to risk management here in Drumheller and a few other things.”
Councillor Stanford also took a moment to address rumours that service has declined since the transfer took place in the spring.
“I’ve heard two stories, but I heard things are better now. I’ve talked to the employees and they feel things are better with Alberta Health Services,” said Stanford.
The decision to hand ambulance service over to AHS was made in October 2012 due to budgetary restrictions. The transfer was made on March 1, 2013. At the time, the board agreed to remain together until April to tie up loose ends.
Stanford stated the Badlands Ambulance Society has officially been removed from Alberta Registries.
The Badlands Ambulance Society held its final meeting on September 30 and the remaining funds in its account have been disbursed to the member municipalities. The Badlands Ambulance Society transferred emergency medical services to Alberta Health Services on March 1.
