Rest for Our Rescuers: Supporting Banff's EMS Team

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crews in Banff work extraordinary schedules, often remaining on site for up to 96 consecutive hours. To support this, on-site living quarters are provided at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. However, these quarters are located in a repurposed ambulance garage that was never designed for long-term residential use and is now in a serious state of disrepair. Drafty, uninsulated garage doors, a peeling concrete floor, and minimal office space make the environment uncomfortable and unsafe. Privacy is limited, as two staff members are often required to share a single open room, separated only by a sheet. Up to six professionals share a single undersized bathroom, and most furnishings are discarded items salvaged from elsewhere in the hospital. These conditions fall far short of what highly skilled first responders deserve.

When lives are on the line, the ability of EMS crews to rest and recover between calls directly affects patient care. Fatigue, stress, and inadequate facilities undermine performance, staff wellness, and long-term retention in a role that is already physically and emotionally demanding. Banff welcomes millions of visitors each year, and the community depends on EMS teams being prepared, rested, and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

The idea is to renovate and restore the EMS crew quarters so that first responders have a safe, dignified, and functional space to rest. Planned improvements include installing insulated doors to eliminate drafts, refinishing flooring, upgrading furnishings, adding proper bedroom partitions and modernizing bathroom facilities.

Improving the crew quarters will have far-reaching benefits. For EMS staff, it will support wellness, morale, and retention by providing a respectful and functional place to rest while on duty. For patients and the community, it will ensure faster, safer, and more effective emergency response from professionals who are well-rested, alert and engaged. Supporting this project is a way to honour the people who dedicate themselves to saving lives every day by giving them the environment they need to serve at their very best.

The primary beneficiaries of this project are Banff’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who are onsite for up to 96 consecutive hours. Their current quarters are inadequate, leaving them without the privacy and comfort needed to rest and recover during physically and emotionally demanding shifts. Renovating the space will provide them with a healthier, more comfortable environment that supports recovery between calls and strengthens their ability to perform at their best.

Every resident and visitor who requires emergency medical attention in Banff and the surrounding areas will benefit from this project. Town residents, tourists on the ski hills, hikers in the backcountry and families travelling through the region rely on EMS crews to respond quickly and effectively. Providing first responders with improved living conditions directly translates into stronger, more reliable care for patients in urgent situations.

Enhanced facilities will also contribute to staff morale and retention, helping ensure that Banff can continue to attract and keep skilled EMS professionals. This stability is critical in a small community where emergency services are essential, but resources are limited.

Finally, the project will benefit the many partner agencies that work closely with Banff EMS, including Parks Canada, local fire departments, and law enforcement. By providing appropriate quarters for EMS crews, we will strengthen the entire emergency response system, ensuring timely, coordinated action that safeguards the health and safety of everyone in the region.