Helicopter Rescue Services Moving to NLSARA

The Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association (NLSARA) will now assume responsibility for offering helicopter rescues in the St. John’s region. This organization currently provides helicopter rescue to the rest of the province except for the St. John’s region. NLSARA has been a partner for many years in ground search and rescue with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD).

Over the last two years, all helicopter rescue services in the province were grounded until the Provincial Government secured a new helicopter contract; now all aspects of the helicopter rescue system must be approved through Transport Canada.

“We are honoured to be providing this service to the St. John’s region,” said NLSARA President Harry Blackmore. “Our volunteers have been trained in the new regulations and are equipped to offer this service, now to the entire province.”

The Regional Fire Services Committee considered potential downsides of no longer offering the service, including perceived concerns about timely response, but given the volume of calls, it was determined the region will be better served overall by utilizing the same program used by all other municipalities. From 2012 to 2019, SJRFD responded to 5 calls for helicopter services.

“Our Helicopter Rescue Team, who are also highly skilled in high angle rescue, are no longer certified to provide helicopter rescue under the new regulations,” said Fire Chief Sherry Colford. “Because of this, we must consider the benefits of using the provincially-approved provider. The Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association respond to calls requiring helicopters far more often than we do. They have the teams and equipment in place, and they are also highly skilled individuals.”

In December, SJRFD representatives met with provincial representatives to discuss the requirements and costs should we continue to offer this service, and earlier this month the Regional Fire Services Committee met to discuss options moving forward.

Initial training and equipment costs to continue to offer helicopter rescue services are estimated to be $117,000, with a yearly cost of $30,000 for annual certifications. The current helicopter equipment is not Transport Canada-certified, meaning the SJRFD would need to purchase new rescue equipment and train staff on the new helicopter rescue system. Additionally, with new federal oversight on the program, it is unclear if there will be future costs and certification requirements.

“Our department will continue to provide high angle rescue services through our High Angle Rescue Team,” said Chief Colford. “We look forward to continuing that service and will put more of our efforts into training on the services we provide our residents on a regular basis.”   

Funding allocated to offer helicopter rescue will be reinvested in the SJRFD to meet the rising costs for other necessary equipment and training. There are no job losses associated with this decision; staff trained to provide helicopter rescue are firefighters who will continue to conduct their regular duties.

The Councils in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise were briefed on and support this decision by the Regional Fire Services Committee.

 “We would like to thank the firefighters who have trained for and provided this service in the past," said Councillor Carl Ridgely, co-chair of the Regional Fire Services Committee. “We also appreciate the value in working collaboratively with the provincially-certified provider of this service and will closely monitor to ensure this partnership benefits this region.”