It’s a first for EMS operations in Saskatoon. Seven international recruits from Australia began their EMS careers in the city today (Thurs). Director of Public Affairs for Medavie Health Services West, Troy Davies, says about five months ago, a recruitment team travelled to Australia to recruit paramedics, and this is the result with more recruits coming over in a few months for work in Saskatoon and other MHS West operations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. There is a shortage of paramedics across the country, so Davies says they had to think outside the box.

The Ministry of Health funded an additional 100 paramedic student positions, but they still have to make it through their classes, so the decision was made to check for recruits in Australia. Prior to the pandemic, several students from Australia did their paramedic training ride-alongs in Saskatoon, so Davies says they have a strong relationship with their training facilities.