A call to ensure Medevac services can land at the Jasper air strip in case of emergency has seen little action since the initial problem was highlighted this past summer.

Currently, commercial operations are prohibited from landing at the Jasper air strip. Since Medevac (owned by Can-West corporate air charters) is a privately-run company contracted by Alberta Health Services, it is considered a commercial operation and cannot land at the air strip.

Bryn Thomas brought the issue to the Town of Jasper’s attention last summer and also alerted Jasper National Park of the potential problem. He hoped a change would be reflected in the draft Jasper Management Plan, but there is no such change to the wording in the plan.

“I’m concerned nothing’s changed,” said Thomas.

Thomas spoke with Can-West, who concurred they would be unable to land at the Jasper Air Strip because of the restriction. He’d like to see a caveat placed in the management plan that would allow Medevac services to come to Jasper in case of an emergency, without being held up by bureaucratic red tape. He doesn’t want to see an expansion of commercial flights at the air strip, only an allowance for Medevac in case of emergency.

“To me, it’s a no-brainer. It’s an obvious option if disaster strikes and the air strip is capable of taking Medevacs,” Thomas said. “If it’s not approved now, it will be another 10 years before we can bring the matter ahead again.”

Emergencies that could potentially close Highway 16 to Hinton could leave the town vulnerable – a situation Jasper has seen in the past. Thomas cited a power outage three years ago that left Jasper in the dark for hours as a potential situation that could have resulted in a larger emergency.

Emergency evacuations of the sick could be accommodated by the Medevac services.

Thomas requested the town of Jasper write a letter to Parks Canada expressing their concern about the closure. The town did write a letter, but were unable to determine if it was sent to JNP superintendent Greg Fenton.

“We’re looking for the letter. We can’t say if the superintendent got it,” said Mayor Richard Ireland. “We’re onside with the approach.”

Jasper’s health advisory service also looked at the matter and shared similar concerns.

Mayor Ireland said there may be other medical services other than Medevac that also could be included in changes to the management plan.

“We’ll raise the issues with a formal response,” Mayor Ireland said.

Environmental groups have pushed for less use of the Jasper Air Strip, as it lies in an environmentally sensitive area. It’s frequented by elk and other ungulates. A similar call has been heard in Banff, where the air strip is only supposed to be used for emergencies.