The Opitciwan Heliport: A Safe Infrastructure for the Entire Opitciwan Community!
OPITCIWAN, QC, September 14, 2021 — The Band Council of the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan and Airmedic are pleased to announce the construction of a heliport to improve helicopter-based healthcare services. Moreover, Chief Jean-Claude Mequish, alongside Ms. Régina Chachai, Director of the Health Centre, and Airmedic CEO Sophie Larochelle, highlight their commitment to a respectful and dignified partnership for the future.
The launch of this project crowns several months of joint planning and teamwork. Indeed, the community’s infrastructure department, the Opitciwan sawmill—located near the landing site—and Airmedic collaborated closely to complete it. The heliport will include a fuel tank. This installation will enable direct, non-stop service to the community. Thus, the operational range for prehospital interventions will extend nearly 250 km across the territory.
An Infrastructure to Save Lives
Chief Jean-Claude Mequish states that “the heliport will improve patient safety. Indeed, it will offer an accessible location at all times for helicopter interventions.” Ms. Chachai also emphasizes “the importance of integrating cultural safety principles into medical transport. This approach benefits the community and significantly reduces transfer delays when a patient’s life or health is at risk.”
Therefore, Airmedic hopes the government will support developing a direct air route between the community and the Roberval hospital. Discussions with government representatives in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region have already begun.
“It is essential that the service offered to the community resonate with public health services. Consequently, we want to build a coherent protocol between the community, Airmedic, and receiving hospitals. In this way, we aim to offer patients a service that respects cultural safety principles,” adds Sophie Larochelle, Airmedic Chief Executive Officer.
The heliport will be a safe, accessible location day and night, especially with night-vision goggle operations. Currently, Chicoutimi Hospital is the only facility in the region with a helisite. The Opitciwan heliport will be operational next October.
Community members held a traditional ceremony to honor the land and the memory of past generations.
About Opitciwan
In 1918, flooding caused by the construction of the La Loutre dam forced the Atikamekw of Kikendache to relocate. They moved to the current site of the community. In 1944, the site on the north shore of the Gouin Reservoir officially became the community of Opitciwan. Connected by forest roads, Opitciwan is located 280 km west of Roberval and has more than 2,400 residents. (Source: https://www.atikamekwsipi.com/)
About Airmedic
Airmedic is an innovative private Quebec company. Indeed, it offers assistance and ground and air medical transport across Quebec. Furthermore, it is the only company in Quebec operating its own fleet of planes and helicopters dedicated to emergency medical evacuations and interfacility transfers.
Furthermore, since 2016, Airmedic has held Accreditation Canada certification. It is also accredited by Transport Canada for IFR flight and night-vision goggle operations. Thus, these certifications highlight its commitment to providing high-quality care in a safe environment, 24/7.
Learn more about Airmedic protection
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Source: Airmedic
Contact:
Jean-Patrick Laflamme
Director of Communications, Public and Government Relations
Airmedic
418 933-3246
[email protected]
Opitciwan Band Council
819 974-8837
