STARS: Saving lives in Western Canada

When urgent medical patients need to be moved across Western Canada, STARS is who the professionals call.

For over three decades, STARS (formally known as Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) has been providing life-saving emergency medical care to communities across Western Canada. With helicopters equipped like flying intensive care units, STARS ensures critically ill and injured patients receive rapid care and transport to hospital.

Jason Arthur, STARS flight director, explains their mission clearly.

“We provide critical care air transportation from either local hospitals or emergency scenes. That could be highways, agricultural sites, or wherever we’re needed.”

Their fleet consists of 10 Airbus H145 helicopters.

“They’re all brand new, modern technology inside,” Arthur added.

Inside the helicopter, the medical team operates a “flying emergency room.”

Additionally, STARS helicopters carry advanced equipment like blood supplies and ultrasound machines. They also have Wi-Fi to send patient vitals directly to doctors on the ground.

“The crew are highly qualified. Our nurses often come from ER or intensive-care backgrounds, and our paramedics are advanced-care level,” touted Arthur.

STARS also works closely with local emergency services at these calls. Firefighters set up safe landing zones for helicopters, keeping the area clear and communicating with pilots about potential risks.

“We rely on them to help us land safely. That’s why we like to get out and train with them,” explained Arthur.

Unlike other services, such as Ontario’s Ornge, STARS only employs helicopters in their fleet.

“We only do helicopter missions. However, in Manitoba, we do partner with a fixed-wing operator to staff flights with our critical care teams, but helicopters are our main focus,” said Arthur.

A regular day for STARS crews is anything but normal. Pilots, paramedics, and nurses work 12-hour shifts, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

“Each base covers a wide area with diverse calls,” said Arthur. “When a call comes in, the pilots check weather to make sure we can safely fly there and back. Meanwhile, the medical team consults with doctors and local staff to decide the best course for the patient.”

Once dispatched, crews aim to be airborne within 10 to 12 minutes.

STARS operates bases across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. For residents of Lloydminster, the Edmonton base responds to calls. For emergencies farther east, the Saskatoon team may step in.

“Having multiple bases allows us to direct resources where they’re needed most,” Arthur notes.

A single helicopter mission can cost between $5,000 and $7,000. Factors like weather, distance, and patient care impact the cost. Additionally, these costs include the team behind the mission. Dispatchers, flight controllers and others work to make sure every flight runs safely and smoothly.

“It might look like just pilots and a medical team on board, but there’s a huge team behind the scenes monitoring the mission,” Arthur said.

Community support is essential to STARS’ success. The organization is partially government-funded, but the rest comes from donations and fundraising.

“Without the community, we wouldn’t be here,” Arthur said. “STARS was built by the community, for the community. That $10 or $15 donation might not seem big, but it makes a significant impact.”

At its core, STARS exists to save lives.

“We’re there for the community, and we couldn’t do this without their support,” Arthur emphasized.

The organization is dispatched through 911 or other local authorities. You can learn more about the organization here.

Read More: Man air lifted to Edmonton after altercation with cop at Vermilion Hospital - Meridian Source