As communities in the southwest struggle to fill open EMS positions, a committee of local municipalities is making their pitch.
The Southwest Regional Ambulance Committee is comprised of the Towns of Shaunavon and Eastend, along with RMs White Valley No. 49, Grassy Creek No. 78, Arlington No. 79, and Bone Creek No. 108.
They're launching an incentive program to recruit and retain Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals in the region with up to $20,000 in recruitment funding for licensed Primary and Advanced Care Paramedics.
"We knew something had to be done," said Donald Lundberg, Reeve of RM of Arlington No 79. "So we organized. We came up with these incentives to try and bring some paramedics and EMRs to our communities. There will be more coming out in the future, too, about further incentives."
They're also offering bursaries for high school students, and financial support for those interested in becoming Emergency Medical Responders, including training coverage through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
"They have to they have to sign a three-year contract," Lundberg said. "So we're offering 30% the first year, 20% the 2nd and then 50% at the third year of service. We're hoping that we'll draw some people into the two towns. Eastend is also offering a nice three 3-bedroom house and some other tax incentives."
The program is a collaboration with SHA after a May 2025 meeting with Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health Lori Carr.
"We explained the situations went through with everything with her and it wasn't very long that we were offered some help," Lundberg said. "We're really grateful for that. We couldn't afford to do this all in our own without some government help. They've upped the positions in Eastend (from 0.33 positions) to two 0.67 positions for primary care paramedics and two 0.75 positions for EMRs. That makes quite a difference, but we'll still have to come up with a large sum of money every year to make this thing work, but we're fully prepared to do that."
He noted over a decade after work to get a new ambulance Eastend, they haven't had any staff to operate it in 18 months.
"We have a beautiful facility, a brand new fire hall with ambulance bay n there and fully equipped, Lundberg said. "It's still in good shape. There's no one to run it."
Shaunavon received a second ambulance and allowance for additional staffing in 2023. They haven't been able to fill all those positions.
He noted with a short staffed team in Shaunavon and no one in Eastend it leaves their area vulnerable on emergency calls.
Their new incentives include:
● $20,000 Recruitment Incentives for new Primary or Advanced Care Paramedics (PCP/ACP) committing to work in Shaunavon and/or Eastend for three years.
● 5 x $2,000 High School Student Bursaries for those accepted into an approved EMS program.
● EMR Training Incentive - $1,000 + Full SHA Support: SHA covers training/enrollment costs (~$650 value) and SHA bursary of $2,000 will be provided for successful bursary applicants taking an approved EMR training program from the SHA. The SHA does not charge bursary recipients for EMR Training.
● Return of Service Agreements ensure participants contribute to rural healthcare while receiving support.
Lundgerg added officials from the Towns of Shaunavon and Eastend will be working to promote the program. They're also planning to reach out to schools who train potential recruits.
He also predicted more municipalities would get on board in the near future.