Support ALERT and save lives

Every year around this time the Flathead Valley turns its attention to the ALERT air ambulance service, which stages its annual fundraising banquet in April. The event — planned April 29 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds — is vital to keeping the service up and running. It’s also a good reminder of how important ALERT has been since it was launched in 1975.

Owned and operated by Kalispell Regional Healthcare, ALERT, which stands for Advanced Life-support Emergency Rescue Team, has brought help to thousands of people in crisis, resulting in 1,487 lives saved. Last year the air-ambulance service logged 321 hours on 470 flights and transported 333 patients. Health-care officials expect that number to go up as the region’s population grows and ages, and as more people visit Northwest Montana. Since it was founded, ALERT has completed more than 17,000 flights.

It should be noted the helicopter often responds to a scene and is not needed and returns without a patient. The crew also does training flights to work with local first responders to prepare for rescues.

This year is a pivotal time for ALERT because the 17-year-old helicopter needs to be replaced. Last year maintenance and repairs cost $200,000, so it’s time for a newer air ambulance. Officials will announce the plan to replace the aging aircraft at the ALERT banquet.

When ALERT formed 42 years ago there was only one urban hospital-based helicopter advanced life support system, based in Denver.

ALERT was the first rural air service in the country. It also has the unique distinction of having responded to the most bear attacks of any air ambulance in the United States. Above all, though, it continues to accomplish the mission of its foresightful founders.

Flathead folks have always taken great pride in ALERT and have rallied to financially support the service. We hope, and expect, that this year will be no different.

ALERT has always gone the distance to be a charitable force for good. Many may not realize the helicopter goes when called without confirmation of ability to pay. It also doesn’t charge a patient if the helicopter goes to the scene and transport was not needed.

We hope we never need to use ALERT, but it behooves all of us to have a hand in making sure it remains a viable option for rescue care.