A committee has been formed to help try and lower response time for 9-1-1 calls in the Okotoks Area.

The Okotoks Fire Department along with Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission and Alberta Health Services will be working on how to improve on what is already deemed a quick response to medical emergencies.

Protective Services Director Scott Roberts says the committee will be a work in progress.

"What this committee is looking at is 'How can we do it better What are the best calls to go on , what are the best response times that we can expect?" He says. "It's very much a holistic approach to the whole process with respect to how we do this best and what is in the best interest in the community where we are spending community tax dollars on this level of service."

Roberts says there's always ways to improve a response time but does know that locally medical responses are answered in a very timely matter.

"On average with Okotoks Fire Services we are addressing a medical call within 8-10 minutes and it does vary over that time depending exactly where in town it is and the time of day. There's a lot of factors but that's our target time and we meet almost 90% of time we go to calls."

Roberts says he hopes the committee will explore new options they have in response times or procedures.

"Our primary concern is always the level of service we offer to the community, the timing of a response can make a difference in those seconds that matter in saving a life."