File photo

By Alex McCuaig

HALO funding

HALO still flying but looking for help from province

Nov 10, 2019 | 3:58 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – Southeastern Alberta’s air ambulance service is continuing to hope for stable financial support from the province. But it will continue to be actively fighting to keep the service going, according to the HALO executive director.

“When the budget came down, there was no new money for HALO,” said Kim Simpson. “We’re going to make it work. We’re not going away. We’re going to continue to offer the service we’ve always offered. But we’ll continue to lobby.”

Simpson says the support of the agricultural community has been critical and unwavering over the years. Something which was on display during the Fall Calf Run at Medicine Hat Feeding Company of Friday.

“The auctioneers have been terrific. They’ve been talking us up and letting people know the support we need,” said Simpson.

She highlighted area rancher Darwin Stuber’s contribution which was magnified by the actions of other county residents.

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“Stuber Ranching donated a calf to us. It got auctioned off and was sold and resold a total of 14 times,” said Simpson.

Nearly $20,000 was raised for HALO at the sale, she said.

HALO was started in 2007 as a one-year pilot program and has since grown to include two helicopters.

The service is supported by the province with a fee-for-service model in which it receives funding on a per flight basis. HALO has been advocating for a more stable funding model in which it will be able to receive provincial support for operating expenses.