Preserving EMS History

The EMS Foundation recognizes the importance of the individuals and programs that formed the base on which present day pre-hospital care is built. The Foundation has documented the history of EMS care in Calgary in the book Vital Signs, available through our web store.

The Foundation also maintains three vintage ambulances which appear at various public events in central and southern Alberta.

1) 1973 Superior Pontiac ambulance, (a.k.a, the Ghostbuster).

One of 240 professional cars produced that year by the Superior Motor Coach Company, of Lima, Ohio, on a Pontiac chassis. Originally sold though Sorensen Distributors, of Red Deer, Alberta, it served its entire professional life in rural Saskatchewan.

In the late 1990’s its ownership was transferred to Calgary where restoration was completed by a large group of volunteers, with the support of the City of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Emergency Medical Services.

2) 1972 Superior Pontiac ambulance (a.ka. the Red Ghost).

One of 281 ambulances produced that year by the Superior Motor Coach Company, of Lima, Ohio on a Pontiac chassis. Originally sold though Sorensen Distributors, of Red Deer, Alberta, it served its entire professional life in the Crowsnest Pass in Southern Alberta.

After spending over forty years in private hands, it was donated to the EMS Foundation in 2021 by the family of Richard Sigurdson, a pioneer in the field of paramedicine. Following restoration, it now serves as the Foundation's public relations vehicle in Edmonton, Alberta.

3) 1986 Ford ambulance (a.k.a the museum unit)

Produced on a Ford chassis, unit GX 2544 was part of a fleet of new ambulances purchased by the City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services in 1986 from Crestline Coach of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After an estimated 10,000 calls it was retired from duty in 1992. Subsequent restoration was completed with support from Calgary EMS, the City of Calgary Fleet Services, as well as Calgary-area paramedic and mechanic staff.