Arquivo RG-71 - City of Edmonton. Edmonton Ambulance Authority fonds

The Edmonton Ambulance Authority was founded July 1, 1981 when the Edmonton Ambulance Authority Act (Bill PR7) was passed by the Alberta Legislature. The Edmonton Ambulance Authority was an arms-length organization from the City of Edmonton and had the following mission statement: "We dedicate our collective abilities to the provision of quality pre-hospital care, responsive to the needs and resources of the Community." In ensuring ambulance service in Edmonton the Authority was responsible for personnel issues, equipment, logistics, and finances. The General Manager was responsible for the daily work of overseeing ambulance service in the city. Between 1981 and 1983 he oversaw four separate departments: Paramedic Services, Training Services, Support Services, and Logistics. After some labour strife in the mid-1980s, the administrative structure of the Authority changed, and between 1988 and 1989 the GM supervised a medical director, and assistant medical director, a manager of financial services, a manager of operations and a personnel manager.

The General Manager reported to the Authority Board. The Board had the power to operate and maintain Ambulance service in the City, but required the approval of City Council for issues such as buying and selling equipment, or expenditures over $25,000.

The Authority was composed of the Mayor, a Commissioner, the Medical Officer of Health for the City, a member recommended by the Edmonton Academy of Medicine and appointed by Council, one member recommended jointly by hospitals within the city and appointed by Council, and six electors or members of Council as appointed by Council.

The Edmonton Ambulance Authority was dissolved in November 1992 when it was taken over by City Council to become the Emergency Medical Services Department. The Emergency Medical Services Department was responsible for the operation of ambulatory services in the city of Edmonton. The head of the Emergency Medical Services Department reported to the City Manager, who in turn was responsible to City Council. It can be assumed that as a City Department, Emergency Medical Services was overseen by a General Manager. Due to the short-lived nature of the department, it is possible that the administrative structure was similar to that of the Edmonton Ambulance Authority, sans the Board.

The Emergency Medical Services Department was dissolved in 1993 when it was combined with the Fire Department to create the Emergency Response Department.