Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Ste. Anne Hospital Heliport Volunteers Honoured with Premier’s Volunteer Service Award By Dan Guetre
The dedicated volunteers who keep the Ste. Anne Hospital Heliport operational 24/7 have been recognized for their extraordinary service, winning the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award as part of the 42nd Annual Volunteer Awards. The award celebrates individuals, groups, and organizations across Manitoba whose passion, commitment, and generosity strengthen communities every day. The award was announced by Volunteer Manitoba, in conjunction with the International Year of the Volunteer, which highlights the global impact of volunteerism in building connections and creating lasting change. “This motivated group’s communication is always positive and uplifting, and
STARS lifting off from the Ste Anne Hospital Heliport.
they never miss a chance to support one another,” said Marc Charrière, Executive Director of the Fonds Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital Fund. “They give their time to ensure Stars Helicopter landings are safe, regardless of the weather or time of day. Their dedication has helped save countless lives in the southeast region of Manitoba.”
Submitted photo
Lifesaving Work Done by Volunteers
The Ste. Anne Heliport officially opened in June 2019 and has been managed largely by volunteers ever since. Originally, Ste. Anne firefighters assisted with inspections, but for the past three years, a committed volunteer crew has handled all evening and weekend duties. Cur-
rent volunteers include Dr. Paul de Moissac, Raymond LaFlèche, Amanda Scott, Chris Coulson, Daniel Bernard, Denise St-Vincent, Joel Dornez, Phil Miron, Randy Taman, Robert Rivard, Ted Sheppard, and Mike Bernier. Volunteers are responsible for daily inspections and pre-landing checks for Stars helicopter ambulances, ensuring the helipad is clear of obstacles, debris, snow and ice, and that all signage, lighting, fences, and fire safety equipment meet Transport Canada standards. Volunteers must also remain on-site until the helicopter departs, a duty that can occur 5–15 times per year on average. “Our heliport is the only accredited hospital heliport in Manitoba operated entirely by volunteers,” said Charrière. “Without them, it wouldn’t be functional, and critically ill patients might not receive timely care at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Since 2023, this small group has con-
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tributed over 18,000 hours of on-call surveillance and 156 hours of on-site inspections—not counting the hours during actual helicopter landings.”
Overcoming Challenges and Building Team Spirit
Transitioning from firefighter-managed checks to a fully volunteer crew was a significant milestone. Volunteers credit Fire Chief Bob Saindon and the hospital fund for supporting recruitment and training. Weekly scheduling ensures two volunteers are on call: one primary and one alternate. Communication through a dedicated WhatsApp group allows volunteers to coordinate schedules, share inspection updates, and celebrate each other’s contributions. “This group goes above and beyond, no matter the weather,” said Charrière. “Their commitment exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism—selfless, reliable, and impactful.” Continued on page 2...