The recently purchased STARS AW139 helicopter is too big to land at the Drumheller Health Centre.
Cam Heke, communications spokesman with STARS, says they are finding with some of the hospitals, the new helicopter is too large for the landing pads.
Heke says STARS is continuing its training exercises, and will be at the Drumheller Airport Friday, January 24 at 8:30 am to work with area emergency responders.
Heke said there are cases where a doctor may request the new helicopter specifically to meet a patient’s needs.
One alternative is landing at the local airport and transporting the patient by ground ambulance to the hospital.
He explains Alberta Health Services would be responsible for any improvements needed to the landing pad to allow the new helicopter to land.
According to a statement from AHS, it has received $25 million from the provincial government for helipad upgrades over the next three years. Upgrades are being made to 13 sites, on a priority basis.
Sites not scheduled for immediate remediation (which would include the Drumheller helipad) continue to be assessed on a regular basis, and will be upgraded based on need and as funding sources are confirmed.
