(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

By Jett Schwaier

HALO AGM

HALO Air Ambulance hosts 2026 AGM highlighting growth and stability

Mar 27, 2026 | 1:05 AM

HALO Air Ambulance has highlighted a year of major operational change and continued demand for its services, as the organization outlined its progress and financial position at its 2026 Annual General Meeting on Thursday.

CEO Paul Carolan said in his report, 2025 was a year that “tested and advanced HALO in meaningful ways,” with flight crews, staff and partners maintaining service levels across southern Alberta.

The organization remained highly active, responding primarily to pre-hospital emergencies in rural and remote areas, where patients often face long distances to advanced care.

About 79 percent of calls for service were scene-emergency medical services, including motor vehicle collisions and medical emergencies, while the calls also covered law enforcement, fire departments and search-and-rescue operations.

Carolan highlighted the organization’s expanding role within the broader emergency response system, including tactical support for police and a growing wildfire response partnership with regional fire services.

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During the report, Carolan said, “Each mission represents timely access to critical care,” as HALO’s coverage stretches from the Saskatchewan boundary to British Columbia and south to the U.S. border.

A key milestone in 2025 was the transition to in-house aviation operations following the purchase and renovation of a central hangar facility within the Medicine Hat Regional Airport.

The move combines flight, maintenance and administrative operations under one roof for the first time in the organization’s history.

Carolan said the focus ahead will include securing long-term provincial funding, advancing a dedicated EMS staffing model and planning for next-generation aircraft as HALO approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027.

Financial statements presented at the meeting display that the organization’s asset base grew significantly over the past year, and has been driven largely by those acquisitions.

Also reported in the meeting was that total assets increased by about $3.6 million, from the previous total of about $5.7 million to about $9.2 million.

The organization also took on new liabilities tied to financing those purchases, resulting in a year-end net balance of over $7 million.

Operating expenses shifted as HALO assumed direct control of flight operations, with a little over $1 million spent on helicopter operations compared with about $2.8 million previously paid to a third-party provider.

Officials reported an excess of revenue over expenses of about $1.7 million after investment income, with the previous report being about $2.3 million.

Following the business portion of the meeting, HALO recognized volunteers, staff and partners for their contributions.

Carolan said several members received five-year service awards, including Noella Krauss, Grenner Veilluex, Ronda Herrmann-Stickel, and Lorraine Dykstra.

Long-service awards recognizing more than 15 years of contribution were presented to the Chair, Dale Thacker, as well as Secretary Tricia Nardari and Board Member Bruce Rieger.

Carolan said he works to recognize members for their dedication and to encourage it for years to come.

“I think we do a good job of trying to say thank you not only to our volunteers and board members, but our donors and supporters as authentically as possible,” Carolan said.

“To have a program that’s formalized and making sure that we’re doing this on a regular basis and recognizing that long tenure of support is really, really important,” he added.

“This is a big step forward for us, and with our 20th anniversary coming up next year, it was a great time to start that program now and be able to make sure that we can recognize that.”

Before the meeting adjourned, emergency service partners, including fire and search-and-rescue agencies, as well as provincial health partners, along with staff and donors, were thanked again for their work and encouraged to look ahead to another successful year.

Carolan said to the flight crews and staff, “Your professionalism and dedication are what make this program operationally strong every single day.” “And to our donors and supporters, this program exists because of your belief in what HALO represents.”