HALO seeks funding from the city
By COLLIN GALLANT on June 21, 2023.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant HALO air rescue society is formally requesting that Medicine Hat city council put funds toward a municipal partnership that is helping to keep the service operating. Executive director Paul Carolan told council in a presentation Monday that the service based in Medicine Hat to transport those with emergencies and accidents to hospital operates by fundraising up to half its annual budget under a new deal with the province. Several years ago it put out a call to municipalities where it operates to provide ongoing support. Specific to Medicine Hat, the group is asking for $2.5 million over five years from the major population centre. Carolan said one out of five calls HALO responds to involves search and rescue activity inside city limits, and most Hatters are frequent highway travellers who may need the vital service. “Some people have the perception that because they live in the city they don’t have a need for HALO,” he said. “We all leave the city for travel recreation and work, but the reality is that HALO also does operate in the city. “Now is the right time to invest in HALO, and we’re inviting you to become of the established private-public funding model and become a strategic partner.” The group has provided air rescue ambulance service in the region since 2006, but has long lobbied for stable base funding from the province. Coun. Shila Sharps said that as owner of a human resources agency, her regional clients have needed emergency extrication from sites. “I value your service and I’ve been impacted by the service,” she said. Coun. Darren Hirsch said the city supports many organizations, but on large items has some measure of budget input. “As the budget expands, the funding will likely have to go up. I don’t want to be in a position where we’re at the table, and then have to say this is too much and have to pull out.” A volunteer board has also stressed the difference between the local service and STARS air ambulance, which operates in most other parts of the province. Council was receptive and questioned Carolan about the operations budget services and whether new money might lead to service enhancements. City manager Ann Mitchell said the item could return to council in “the very near future.” Currently, Alberta Health Services provides up to 50 per cent of funding for the service since a new operation agreement was announced in March 2022. That is on par with provincial support for STARS and another independent helicopter services. A new long-term agreement could be finalized this summer, said Carolan, Last year, HALO’s budget was $3 million, and the group negotiated 40 per cent be covered by AHS, worth about $1.3 million. The difference is made up through general fundraising, corporate support and ongoing support from area municipalities. In 2021, Cypress County provided a one-time payment of $250,000 to carry the service through the COVID-19 fallout, then $300,000 per year until the end of 2023. 21-20
