Who we are, what we do
Mike Mahoney, Advanced Care Paramedic, Operations Supervisor, Associated Ambulance: Jasper is a remote community located roughly 400 km from the nearest Level 1 trauma centre and 100 km from the closest airport. Our coverage area spans all of Jasper National Park, which brings an incredible variety of calls. I frequently work alongside Parks Canada’s mountain rescue team, assisting injured or ill backcountry users—ice climbers, skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and more.
Whether I’m responding on the highways or in town, I often work closely with the Jasper Fire Department and the RCMP. In the hospital setting, I regularly assist doctors and nurses with patient care. Over the course of my career, I’ve built strong relationships with all these partner agencies, and that inter-agency collaboration is one of the things I value most about working here.
Another unique aspect of working in Jasper is the rhythm of the seasons. Summer brings the intensity of tourist season, which tapers off just in time for ski season at Marmot Basin and an influx of backcountry activity in the winter. The diversity of calls and seasonal changes keep the work dynamic and fulfilling year-round.
I was initially drawn to this profession by the excitement it offered, and the appeal of a role that demands both critical thinking and rapid decision-making, something that still holds true for me today. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. I genuinely enjoy working with people, and the deep human connection at the core of this job made paramedicine a perfect fit.
When you look back on a 20-year EMS career, you see a lot of wins and losses. Delivering my first baby, who I’ve since watched grow into a great kid and athlete, was a big moment for me. But a call I had just a few weeks ago highlights what it is like to work in Jasper for me.
Last month I was dispatched to a rescue involving a young male in his 20s who had fallen over 20 metres into an ice crevasse while ski touring just above the Columbia Icefields, which is 100 kms South of Jasper. A fall like that is almost always fatal—but incredibly, this patient survived. He sustained serious injuries including head trauma, spinal fractures, and a femur fracture.
What followed was a textbook example of interagency collaboration and skill. Resources from multiple teams came together: Parks Canada Public Safety from both Banff and Jasper, including the crevasse rescue team, Jasper EMS, Seton Hospital staff, and eventually STARS for final transport to the University of Alberta Hospital. Everyone brought their best that day—and it made all the difference.
The patient later contacted us after surgery to say he was on the mend. I told him he’s earned a spot on my “Top 10 Luckiest Patients I’ve Ever Had” list.
Above all, the very best part of my job is my small EMS team. We’re a crew of eight with a long history of working together, and the camaraderie, trust, and professionalism we share are second to none. I simply couldn’t ask for a better crew.
