Opitciwan, September 14 – A major announcement was made. In the presence of Chief Jean-Claude Mequish and members of the community, Airmedic officially launched the construction of a heliport to improve response times in healthcare.
This announcement comes after several months of collaboration with the Opitciwan Band Council and the government. Not only did we work closely with the community, but the positive impact exceeds our expectations and motivates us to dedicate ourselves even further to our mission. Additionally, the installation of a fuel tank at the Opitciwan heliport infrastructure will significantly expand our prehospital intervention range.
Sophie Larochelle, CEO of Airmedic, accompanied by Jean-Claude Mequish, Chief of Opitciwan, Éliane Provost, Business Development, and Jessie Lepage from Airmedic’s Safety Committee, participated in a traditional ceremony for the development of the new heliport.
Upcoming heliport projects
In the coming months, similar projects will be implemented in Manawan. We also plan to expand the capacity of the hospitals in Roberval and Joliette. This initiative aims to provide better medical transport services to the Atikamekw communities as well as to all citizens in these regions.
As a result, the addition of heliport infrastructure at public hospitals will strengthen prehospital and interhospital services in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Lanaudière, and the Laurentides.
A heliport network structured around regional needs
We are actively working to encourage government investment in heliport facilities near hospitals. These developments reduce response times and also allow hospital teams to remain fully staffed without compromising their efficiency.
It is equally important to continue working with the communities of Opitciwan and Manawan. This ensures high-quality and tailored services. Our long-term vision is to extend the heliport network to the Laurentides, Beauce, Charlevoix, and Gaspésie, allowing these regions to benefit from the same advantages provided by rapid, high-quality air transport.
Additional heliport projects are already underway. More details will be shared in the near future.
Our goal is clear: improving response times from Blanc-Sablon to James Bay, passing through Schefferville and Kuujjuaq.
Thank you to our members
One of the essential links in Airmedic’s operations is you – our members. Thanks to your support, these projects are becoming a reality.
We remind you to always exercise caution in more isolated regions. Enjoy this colorful season while exploring and engaging in your favorite outdoor activities.
Your safety is our mission.
