Connected by Care

How EHS Teams Work Together to Save Lives in Northern Alberta

When emergencies strike in Northern Alberta, the response that follows is more than just a siren and flashing lights—it’s the product of multiple teams working seamlessly together.

From the calm, steady voice on the phone to the paramedics on the ground and the leaders behind the scenes coordinating it all, Alberta’s Emergency Health Services (EHS) teams embody collaboration at its best.

Each day, Operations and Dispatch come together with one shared purpose, to save lives. Whether on the frontlines or behind the headset, these professionals form a connected chain of care that reaches every corner of the province’s North.

“It’s more than a job to me, it’s a calling,” said Mikaila Moustafa, a Primary Care Paramedic based in Peace River. “It’s challenging and emotionally exhausting at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the team I work with because we always have each others backs.”

Mikaila Moustafa, Primary Care Paramedic

For Moustafa and her colleagues in Operations, no two shifts are ever the same. One day may involve delivering a baby on the side of the road and the next could be stabilizing a patient after a serious accident. The unpredictability keeps them sharp, but it’s the teamwork that keeps them grounded.

Operations rely on Dispatch to provide critical details, ensuring that every call gets the fastest, safest response possible.

“Saving lives is a team effort,” said Moustafa. “We rely on dispatchers to get us the information we need, and they rely on us to act fast and care for the people at their worst moments. When we all work together, it leads to the best outcomes for our patients.”

On the other end of that partnership sits Dispatch, the calm in the chaos. For Mike Farrow, an Emergency Communications Officer with more than two decades of experience, every call represents someone’s most vulnerable moment.

“We’re the faceless first responders,” said Farrow. “People don’t see us, but we’re there before anyone else, hearing everything unfold in real time. We’re the voice that tells callers help is on the way.”

Dispatchers like Farrow are responsible for getting vital details, sending the nearest available units and staying on the line until responders arrive. Behind the consoles, their focus never wavers. Safety, both for the crews on the ground and the callers on the line, is their top priority.

“Our number one job is to keep everyone safe,” said Farrow. “Whether it’s the paramedics, the fire department or the caller on the other end, we make sure everyone gets the support they need.”

Mike Farrow, Emergency Communications Officer and Tara-Lee Bak, Deployment Manager (EHS and Dispatch)

For Tara-Lee Bak, a Deployment Manager with 27 years in EHS and Dispatch, the strength of the system lies in its integration. From her post at the Northern Communication Centre in Peace River, she oversees operations that depend on real-time communication,

advanced technology and trust among colleagues.

“In Peace River, we’re fortunate to work in a shared facility where dispatchers and paramedics are side by side,” said Bak. “It allows us to collaborate more closely and build strong relationships based on respect and understanding.”

This setup has created an environment where practitioners in different disciplines operate as one. The shared space has also fostered a culture of camaraderie, a reminder that mental health and teamwork go hand in hand.

Trevor Vestad, Advanced Care Paramedic

“The learning never stops,” said Bak. “Technology changes, systems improve, and we’re always finding better ways to serve the people who rely on us.”

Back on the ground Trevor Vestad, an Advanced Care Paramedic based in Grimshaw, sees first hand how interconnected the entire EHS system is.

“The whole healthcare system is one massive chain link,” said Vestad. “Each team—dispatchers, paramedics, nurses, doctors—we’re all connected. Together, we create that chain of care that gives every patient the best possible outcome.”

For Vestad, the beauty of his work lies in its variety of collaboration.

“Every day is different,” said Vestad. “We work with police, fire, hospital staff and other EHS crews. It’s dynamic, it’s demanding and it’s incredibly meaningful.”

From the first phone call to the final patient handoff, every EHS professional plays a critical role in Alberta’s northern communities. The teamwork between Operations, Dispatch and Learning & Development ensures every resident, no matter how remote, has access to timely compassionate and expert care.

“We’re all in this to help people at their worst moments. The job may be tough, but the impact we make keeps us going,” said Farrow.

Interested in a career with Emergency Health Services?

Dispatch & Communications provides an in-house training program in Peace River.

Registered paramedic roles are available throughout Northern Alberta. There is something for everyone.

albertahealthservices.ca/careers