March 17, 2021 Premier Andrew Furey Office of the Premier Confederation Building PO Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Dear Premier Furey: In May 2020, Universal Helicopters closed its business, resulting in the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) having to ground its Helicopter Rescue Team. The Provincial Government, through Universal Helicopters, provided the actual helicopter so that the SJRFD can effectively respond to emergencies requiring same. In July and August 2020, the SJRFD attended meetings with Fire, Emergency and Corporate Services with the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) to discuss the concerns of conducting rescues within the Region without the availability of the SJRFD Helicopter Rescue Team; and to discuss the progress of the new contract with another helicopter company. During those meetings, Fire, Emergency and Corporate Services were made aware of the needs of the SJRFD Helicopter Team in terms of equipment and possible training. The SJRFD have since received no follow up information from Provincial Government on this matter, however we were made aware that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure secured a contract with Canadian Helicopters and Newfoundland Helicopters. We understand that the helicopters provided by these companies are not equipped and therefore unable to respond to emergency rescues. Recently a reporter reached out to the SJRFD Fire Chief/Director of Regional Fire & Emergency Services inquiring as to the status of the SJRFD Helicopter Team, as a representative with Provincial Government indicated there were ongoing conversations between the helicopter companies, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and SJRFD to source the necessary equipment, and the service should be available by the Spring 2021. The Fire Chief/Director subsequently reached out to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to inform them there has been no contact made to SJRFD as indicated to the reporter by Provincial Government. While the Deputy Minister has since reached out to the Fire Chief/Director and has committed to bringing the SJRFD into future discussions, we are concerned with the delay of the Provincial Government in working with SJRFD to re-establish their Helicopter Rescue Team. With the summer approaching and more people in the community using trails, the SJRFD is not able to provide rescue services, which is a critical emergency service. There have been no clear protocols put in place, or communicated to us or SJRFD, by the Provincial Government on current roles and responsibilities should a person find themselves deep in a trail with major injuries, and in need of a rescue. We are concerned that at the most crucial time for these services, the answers will not be readily available, or SJRFD will be expected to provide a service which it is not equipped to provide. …./2 Page "We ask that he Provincial Government present its plan and curent protocols in read to helicopter reseue within our Region: and provide the most up—to—date information on where helicopter rescue curently stands. Sineerc youn UVM Ligs Damy Breen. Dave Aber Mavor City oft Joln‘s Mayor, City of Mount Pear Bz _D BM Dan Bobbert, Mayor Town of Pandise c Mr. Kevin Breen, City Manage, City of St Jobn‘s Ms. Dana Spurell, CAO, City of Mount Pear Ms. Lise Niblock, CAO, Town of Badie STJOHNS | Paradise o + ST. JOHNS