The Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association (KERPA) is a Canadian registered charity founded in 2016 and based in Nelson, British Columbia. It provides specialized, physician-led prehospital critical care to high-risk emergency services calls across the West Kootenay region.

Their service model operates similar to those in the United Kingdom with physician-led Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through Physician Response Units (PRUs) and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Rather than relying solely on paramedical, these specialized units pair senior emergency physicians or consultants with experienced ambulance clinicians to bring the emergency department to the patient.

KERPA founder, Dr. Nic Sparrow, an emergency physician in the Kootenay’s volunteers his time to provide emergency care to critically ill or injured patients. KERPA responds to calls with an immediate threat to life in Nelson, Castlegar, Kaslo, Winlaw, Salmo areas, and to communities in between. KERPA sends trained Emergency Response Physicians to support the emergency services on scene at the most critical calls in the Kootenay Region.

KERPA represents a highly valuable service, especially in rural regions when access to emergency services can be difficult due to distance from critical care facilities. The ability to have Emergency Response Physicians dispatched directly to scenes is what Dr. Sparrow indicates can, “have a profound impact on the outcome of a patient, and the outcomes of everyone who loves and cares for that person.”

KERPA operates entirely through community donations from individuals, foundations and businesses, receives no government funding, and there is no charge to the patient. KERPA is proud to be recognized as Canada’s first accredited Special Operations Medical Retrieval Service.

As a supporter of initiatives that can help make a difference in the lives of those in communities, especially in rural areas, the Slocan Valley Co-op recognizes the value that KERPA provides. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Team Members, our member-owners, and with the support of the Co-operative Retailing System the Slocan Valley Co-op is proud to provide a donation of $20,000 to their association.