(CHAT News Today)

By Regan Tate / David Opinko

HALO Air Ambulance to receive over $1 million in annual funding from province

Mar 31, 2022 | 12:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – For the first time ever HALO (Helicopter Air Lift Operation) is getting guaranteed funding and a contract with Alberta Health Services. HALO had been operating under a fee-for-service agreement.

Premier Jason Kenney ventured down to Medicine Hat on Thursday, March 31, 2022, and announced that HALO will get more than $1 million in annual funding.

He says they have heard from Albertans about the importance of experienced regional air ambulance operators.

HALO has been lobbying for years for this type of funding arrangement with the Provincial Government.

Paul Carolan, CEO of HALO, stated, “this historic investment represents countless hours of work, by thousands of people, over the past 20 years! Adding the Government of Alberta as a predictable and stable funding partner ensures HALO will not only remain in flight for your life in Southern Alberta, but will be able to enhance our ability to provide world-class helicopter emergency medical services for decades to come.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Michaela Frey, the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, says, “this deal has been a long time coming. This stable and predictable funding is not only well deserved but essential for Rural Alberta.”

HALO is based in Medicine Hat and serves southeastern Alberta. In 2019-2020, they flew 38 missions in the region.

Up until now, the service has relied entirely on donations to fund its operations.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, donations to HALO dropped significantly and they were unable to host fundraising events, putting them in a position where they were close to ceasing operations.

Thankfully, the community came together and contributed $3.2 million in 2020 to keep them in the air.

READ MORE: HALO Air Ambulance close to ceasing operations without funding

READ MORE: HALO Air Ambulance raises $3.2-million in 2020, doubling 2019’s record

The province has been busy supporting air ambulance services lately.

Fort McMurray-based Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation (HERO) will also get almost $2 million under a new five-year contract, which is double of its current annual funding.

They are also doubling funding to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) from $7 million to more than $15 million.

READ MORE: Alberta doubles funding for STARS air ambulance