HALO has been providing air ambulance service to the southeast Alberta region for 15 years now.--FILE PHOTO
HALO members and supporters gathered Thursday evening for the first HALO in the Hangar open house event since the beginning of the pandemic.
The annual event aims to raise public awareness about HALO and recognize the individuals who assist in its operations. This year, HALO in the Hangar was combined with the air ambulance service 15th anniversary celebration.
The festivities took place at the Super T Aviation Academy hangar located next to the city’s airport. Organizers estimate more than 100 people were in attendance.
“Halo in the Hangar is an opportunity for us to share the program with people, recognize our sponsors and volunteers and give back to the community,” HALO CEO Paul Carolan told the News. “We just really want people to understand what it is they’re supporting.”
HALO, which services regions south of Calgary and, sometimes, southwest Saskatchewan, primarily provides medical in-air transportation to critically ill individuals. But it can also assist in search and rescue, police support and fire support.
“I think the most important part about tonight is that the helicopter is no longer here,” said Carolan. “It’s been dispatched to a mission. Everything sort of stopped when that call came in. And that’s why we exist and what we’re here to do.”
In 2019, HALO received 200 calls for service. Carolan says, and while every call is unique, the cost of each averages around $7,500.
Though currently operating under a fee-for-service agreement, HALO is expecting to soon receive provincial funding, which could cover up to 50 per cent of the service’s yearly operating budget. While Carolan is grateful for the expected funding, he says HALO will still work closely with community supporters.
During the event, Carolan thanked the community for their support over the past 15 years.
“We’re very excited about 15 years, thousands of missions and countless lives impacted,” he said. “It’s an incredible milestone.
“There’s been lots of highs and lows (but) we’re just proud we’re still here and we still get to serve southern Alberta.”
Board chair Dale Thacker believes the service is essential for the well being of the community.
“I was at a Medicine Hat Tigers game – we had a HALO boot set up – and a little girl walked up to me. She looked me in the face and said, ‘Thank you for saving my life.’ And then walked away,” Thacker said. “That’s why it’s important. It’s about people.”
