HALO Air Ambulance close to ceasing operations without funding

May 14, 2020 | 2:53 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The future of HALO Air Ambulance is hanging in the balance if they don’t receive immediate government assistance, according to the organization.

In a press release posted Thursday, HALO says they are weeks away from having to scale down operations due to funding drying up during this pandemic.

An emergency board meeting was held late last week to discuss the immediate challenges the program is facing.

Despite 2019 being a ‘record-setting year’ for fund development, the pandemic has had an ‘immediate impact’ on their ability to fundraise.

HALO CEO Paul Carolan said they are on their last legs if funding from the province isn’t approved.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated our ability to fundraise, and as a result, HALO is on life support. “The viability of the program is directly and immediately threatened.”

HALO will reportedly be forced to scale back operations to their single-engine helicopter on June 1 without investment from the Government of Alberta and will only be able to provide limited medevac service for 30 days.

All medevac services offered by the service will reportedly cease on July 1 if there is no change to the funding model.

HALO says this information was submitted to the province on May 8, however they have not received a response back from the Premier’s Office at this time.

The group is asking for an investment of $250,000 per month from the province to remain operational.

by Scott Roblin