Schilling told Black Press that “Following a discussion with the district I approached IH asking about the possibility of releasing that land to be used for the helipad. “It makes a lot more sense that a helipad be within walking distance to the hospital.” There were two potential sites identified previously as possible locations for an emergency helipad adjacent to the hospital. The district has discussed the idea with Heidi Schilling, manager of administrative services at the hospital, and Interior Health, since the TNRD has “passed this torch on to the DOC,” said Blackwell. “The feasibility study would be between $15,000 to $30,000, which seems like a lot of money, but really isn’t for giving us a head start on whatever the process is a year from now when we can actually apply for the grant.” We are really grateful for their service.”īlackwell said that for now there is a much smaller grant the district will apply for to engage a feasibility study on a permanent helipad and what will be needed to accomplish that. “We recognize the dedication and amazing work the Blackpool fire department volunteers, under the direction of Chief Mike Savage, have contributed to the area while providing this safe, temporary helipad, and we know they have put in so much work to maintain it year round and become certified through additional training each year. The mayor acknowledged the “incredible commitment” of the BVFD and their operation of the temporary helipad next to the fire hall for the past three years until something closer to the hospital could be implemented. “We are looking at possibly applying next year following a feasibility study about this important service to our area.” “With the current deadline coming up for that particular grant application for this year we just don’t have enough time, especially since we would have to do more due diligence and research to provide information with the grant application,” Blackwell said. Helmcken Memorial Hospital for a potential emergency helipad has been delayed until next year. In response to the question of the District of Clearwater possibly looking into a similar grant application, Mayor Merlin Blackwell stated that the application for a grant to assist in acquiring land adjacent to Dr. He added that over the years the idea of a helipad had been researched by previous TNRD Area “A” director Carol Schaffer and others in the valley multiple times. “The goal of the fire department for applying for this funding was to essentially make things better by making a fully certified pad, which would be at best a temporary and safe landing zone until a more permanent solution could be found in the valley.” “We feel we’ve lost the support from the TNRD on this, and they didn’t get the facts right on why we were hoping to acquire the grant,” said Savage. Air Ambulance, the pilots, Interior Health (IH) and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) fire protection services division. Savage said the BVFD started going through “this process of getting more information” once they found out about the grant, following up with conversations with B.C. Aviation grant and we went through the steps of contacting people who offer the grant.” “This year, because no one has done anything or come forward after three-and-a-half years to move forward with a new helipad site, the landowner is looking to possibly develop his property. “The cost of our crew callouts, and snow removal in the winter, is our biggest expense, and we must undertake snow removal for our own department and assisting B.C. “We’ve been providing the service to the community in partnership with the private landowner at virtually no cost,” Savage explained. Blackpool Fire Chief Mike Savage spoke to Black Press recently about what the fire department has been doing since October 2020 with regards to operating a temporary helipad in the North Thompson along Highway 5 next to the Blackpool Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) hall.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |