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Residents in Lethbridge are invited to attend a free CPR training session and community barbecue hosted by Lethbridge Firefighters IAFF Local 237 on Sunday, April 12.
The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside the office of Nathan Neudorf, located at 550 WT Hill Blvd South. Organizers say the gathering is intended to provide residents with basic life-saving skills while also raising awareness about proposed provincial changes to emergency medical services (EMS).
Community Training and Public Awareness
The event will offer hands-on CPR instruction for attendees, along with an opportunity to connect with local firefighters and ask questions about emergency response services in the city. A free barbecue will also be provided.
According to organizers, the initiative aims to highlight concerns about potential changes to how EMS services are delivered in Alberta. Lethbridge currently operates one of North America’s longest-standing integrated Fire and EMS systems, a model that has been in place for over a century.
Concerns Over Proposed Changes
Firefighters are raising concerns about proposed provincial changes that could shift EMS delivery toward a model where contracts are awarded based on cost rather than integration with local fire services. They argue that such changes could affect response times and reduce the availability of ambulances during emergencies.
Brent Nunweiler, president of the Lethbridge Firefighters IAFF Local 237, says the potential impacts are significant:
“This is life and death. Seconds matter during an emergency and the province’s cost-cutting will cost lives. We’re hosting a community BBQ so the people of Lethbridge can learn CPR, and learn more about this government’s plans to decimate the longest-standing integrated Fire & EMS service in North America. If the province hands our EMS system to the lowest bidder, there may be no ambulance when you call 911.”
Importance of CPR Knowledge
Organizers emphasize that CPR training is a critical skill that can save lives in emergency situations, particularly in the minutes before first responders arrive. Events like this aim to increase public preparedness while fostering discussion about the future of emergency services in the community.
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.
