Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Rescue on the Island Exceeds Expectations While they may have been small in number, the participants in the seventh annual STARS Rescue on the Island proved to be mighty when it comes to fundraising as the trio of participants broke records by raising more than $223,000 combined. On September 9, Sarah Normandeau Councillor, RM of Ste. Anne/Recreational Services Manager for the Town of Ste. Anne, along with Al Babiuk, President and CEO of Loewen Windows and Doors and Bernhard Teichroeb, Sales and Project Manager for Wiebe’s Steel Structures, Morden were the only three participates in this year’s Rescue on the Island. The three participants were stranded on an island in Whiteshell Provincial Park and to secure their ‘rescue’ and return to civilization, they were challenged to fundraise as much as possible using their mobile phones and personal and corporate networks. Normandeau was recognized as being the top fundraiser after suc- Sarah Normandeau performs an intubation on a simulated patient cessfully raising about $88,377. during one of three Rescue on the Island medical challenges. While the majority of this money Submitted photo was raised through individual donations, larger contributors were the RM of Ritchot at $10,000; the RM of Ste. Anne donated $5,000 which was matched by the Town of Ste. Anne. Throughout the summer a variety of community fundraisers also helped raise over $17,226. To allow the event to proceed during the pandemic, several safety protocols were put in place including a reduction in participants, STARS staff and volunteers taking part, social distancing and the wearing of masks. While stranded on the island, each individual participated in a series of challenges, including a simulated medical scenario and survival challenges. Throughout the day they also had the opportunity to learn more about the services STARS provides to Manitobans and the challenges faced by the STARS medical and aviation crew. Since it began in 2013, Rescue on the Island has raised more than $1.5 million in support of STARS’ life-saving work in the province. STARS brought in a backup helicopter for this event, leaving the active on-duty aircraft mission ready at the Winnipeg base.
October 2020
COVID Alert App Launched in Manitoba The Health Canada COVID Alert app is now available to Manitoba residents and will provide digital COVID-19 exposure alerts once the app is downloaded to a smartphone. “With case numbers currently on the rise, the COVID Alert app is one more tool that people can use to be aware of a possible exposure to COVID19,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “The introduction of the app builds on our public health contact tracing efforts to inform people of possible exposures and ensure they are given the advice they need to reduce the spread of the virus.” The national COVID Alert app uses Bluetooth technology to detect when users are near each other. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to let other users know about potential exposure risk without sharing any personal information. Someone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be provided a one-time key from public health when they call to provide test results. By entering the key into the app, it will notify other app users who have been within two metres of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period within the last 14 days. Subscribers who receive this exposure alert can then assess their risk and seek testing, if needed. The COVID Alert app does not collect personal information or health data, and does not know or track the location, name, address or contacts of any user. All aspects of the app are completely voluntary. The minister noted the COVID Alert app does not replace contact investigations. People who do not have a smartphone or device that will support the app will still receive notification from public health officials if they have positive test results or are determined to be a close contact of a confirmed case. “It’s important for people to remember that we all need to continue to focus on the fundamentals to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others,” said Friesen. “Stay home if you are sick, reduce your number of contacts, wash or sanitize your hands often, physically distance from others and wear a mask if you cannot, or as required in your community.” The Health Canada COVID Alert app is available at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app store. For more information, visit canada.ca/en/publichealth/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.