The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) is requesting operating funding from the RDEK to ensure service can continue.
STARS is a charitable organization that relies on donations and support from communities.
They are requesting $2 per capita for a three-year term, which would be roughly $130,000 a year.
RDEK director and Kootenay East Regional Hospital board chair David Wilks says the funding is important but it may make more sense for it to come from the hospital district.
“I think this really needs to go to the hospital board. The challenge we have at the hospital board of course is the hospital district act which is a convoluted problem we have,” he said.
“We historically do not fund operations we fund capital. That doesn’t mean that we can’t but moving to the hospital board we would automatically capture Golden and Creston.”
Director Mike Gray says that could be a possibility but if it isn’t the RDEK should provide the funding.
“Funding is a must. We sit here and criticize when Alberta and B.C. don’t get along with which hospitals we can go to and which emergency rooms are available. At the end of the day it has got to be funded,” he said.
“This is a service that is absolutely critical to our area. The level of care that we receive as citizens in this area. I’ve had a family member on STARS from Invermere to Calgary and as much as you think it’s expensive, when it’s your person, your family member and your loved one that is coming in on that machine no cost would be too much.”
On average STARS responds to 34 incidents in the East Kootenay every year.
The request has been sent to staff who will have it as an item for discussion during the RDEK’s budget deliberations.
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