It's been confirmed that Alberta's chief paramedic, Darren Sandbeck will officially leave his post January 9, ending almost a week of speculation.
Separate, but similar, notices of his departure were sent to senior and EMS staff from Deb Gordon, AHS vice-president and chief operating officer of clinical operations
She said interim leadership is being put in place and further information will be forthcoming.
Gordon called Sandbeck "a recognized leader within AHS since its inception, bringing years of experience and leadership in Emergency Medical Services to his team and our organization."
She said under Sandbeck's leadership, they developed strategic initiatives such as the EMS 10-point plan and the provincial EMS service plan and thanked him for his years of service.
He has been the chief paramedic and the AHS senior provincial EMS director since 2014.
He was with what was called Oilfields Ambulance out of Black Diamond when that service merged with Highwood EMS to form Foothills EMS, which was led at the time by Fred Stegmeier.
When Alberta Health Services took over control of EMS, Sandbeck moved to Edmonton.
Alberta Health Services confirmed speculation on December 8 that a workplace investigation is underway regarding some EMS management practices in the Calgary Zone, which includes High River and Okotoks.