This release was issued under a previous government.
The landing pad represents a $5.5 million investment into emergency medical services in the region. It will be located on top of the main tower of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, with construction starting and finishing in 2015.
“Quick access to emergency care is important to Albertans. Fort McMurray has many residents living and working in remote areas and by locating this heliport at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre we can save precious transport time in getting critically ill or injured patients the care they need.”
Current air ambulance services in Fort McMurray operate out of the Fort McMurray International Airport, and patients are transported by ambulance from the airport to the hospital, a trip that can take up to 21 minutes. Locating the helipad at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will reduce the time patients spend in transit.
“There is no question that this new helipad responds to an important need in our growing community, ensuring response times are meeting community needs.”
“A hospital emergency services helipad is a key component of a time effective HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service). Local HERO Foundation is extremely pleased that we will now be able to reduce transport times by delivering patients directly to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. This will save lives.”
There were over 100 medevac flights to the Fort McMurray airport in the last 12 months.