AIR AMBULANCE
City says talks haven’t occurred with CanWest
There are conflicting details emerging about the successful bid for operating the fixedwing air ambulance for Medicine Hat.
Northern Alberta operator CanWest was the successful bidder in the request for proposals but has not yet signed a contract, according to Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner.
“There are negotiations going on between CanWest and the city in securing land at the municipal airport,” said Wanner.
Mayor Ted Clugston said CanWest does not meet the RFP requirements that specify the need for a base in Medicine Hat, and there is no serviced land available for CanWest to establish one.
“We have no ongoing talks with CanWest and there are no serviced lots at the airport,” city CAO Merete Heggelund said Friday.
“It was my understanding ... it was maybe CanWest who said that they are in discussions with the city about facilities,” Wanner clarified Friday. “So CanWest may need to be the party that needs to answer that question, but the information that I’ve been provided with, from I believe CanWest, is that they had arrangements in place with the city. So I am operating on that basis that they’ve said they met the requirements.”
The key point is that it must have a base of operations in Medicine Hat and if as the successful bidder CanWest is unable to do that then the contract will not be awarded, said Wanner.
This does not necessarily mean Integra Air, which has had the contract to provide air ambulance services in this area for several years, would be in the running to get the contract instead.
Wanner says he does not know who the other bidders were in the RFP process.
The News has been told bidders in the RFP are not allowed to talk to the media about the situation.
AHS issued the RFP last August for fixed-wing air ambulance services across the province. CanWest is reported to be in line to handle eight of 10 jurisdictions.
AHS says there is no need for concern regarding air ambulance service in Medicine Hat.
“Service will continue to be provided by one fixed-wing air ambulance out of the regional airport,” chief paramedic Darren Sandbeck said Wednesday in an emailed statement.
Sandbeck also stated the purpose of the RFP is to maintain existing air ambulance access, with 11 dedicated fixed-wing air ambulances based in 10 Alberta communities. Negotiations continue as part of this RFP process to ensure contracts are in place for Sept. 1.