Celebrate Giving Tuesday with us
A generous donor to the Society has offered to match donations up to $75,000. Your gift will nurture in Canadian youth a passion for Canada’s diverse history.
Kent S.
Weyburn, Saskatchewan
Regina Regional Heritage Fair
Saskatchewan Air Ambulance - Lifeguard
A look at the history and modern day operations of Sask. Air Ambulance, the first non military air ambulance service in the world. Includes a self made TV show called "Amazing Saskatchewan" that gives a first hand look at some of the aircraft used by the SAAS.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?
The first SAAS plane was called the CF-SAM and it was such an important part of Canadian history it was put on a postage stamp. Also I learned that some people in our province are up to fourteen hours away on bumpy roads from the hospital they need to get to. I learned we are really lucky to have this amazing service.
What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?
I learned that Saskatchewan created the very first non military air ambulance service in the world back in 1946. Our province had and still has a lot of people in rural and northern areas that are way too far from medical help in an emergency. SAAS showed the rest of Canada and the world that there is a way to help everyone that needs it. We still have the SAAS and they fly about 1500 missions a year.
How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?
I know I am lucky to live in a place that tries really hard to help us when we are in medical trouble. I guess I would say we have always been fortunate that way. Our province is pretty good for looking after us like that. It would have been extra hard back in 1946 but they did it anyway.