Southern Alberta shines with STARS

Westwind Weekly News Photo Submittrd. IN FLIGHT: A STARS crew with the H145 helicopter makes their way into a wheat field during a rescue operation in southern Alberta.

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) is a charitable organization that operates 24/7 and has flown over 60,000 missions to date. Next year STARS will celebrate 40 years of serving Albertans.

STARS operates across Western Canada, offering vital emergency medical services to rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Established to address the urgent need for rapid and efficient emergency response, STARS has grown into a lifeline for patients requiring immediate and advanced medical care. STARS operates with a versatile fleet, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground ambulances, allowing them to provide tailored responses depending on each situation’s unique requirements.

“STARS can land anywhere,” says Jackie Seely, Donor Relations & Development Officer, Southern Alberta. “Our fleet of H145 helicopters are similar in size and weight to our previous BK117 fleet and is just 2’ longer in the tail. The H145 is an airborne intensive care unit environment with specialized medical equipment on board.”

She continues, “The critical care patients receive is provided by our highly skilled world class crew members. We are wherever we need to be, using any transportation and tools necessary to reach our patients and deliver the care that can save their lives. For some patients, a helicopter is the right method to respond. For others, our teams will go by airplane or ground ambulances. Often, our physicians can diagnose and provide care guidance directly through phone or video link.”

As STARS services rural areas, agreements and collaboration with municipalities are vital. STARS is very excited about the municipalities in Southern Alberta that have come on board since last fall: Town of Nobleford, Town of Fort Macleod, Town of Bassano, City of Brooks (which is actually the first city in southern Alberta to join), and MD of Taber. Note that several requests are still pending, so this local list is set to grow.

The importance of STARS cannot be overstated. For those located far from primary care centres, the presence of STARS can literally be the difference between life and death. Their commitment is reflected in their daily operations, averaging around 10 missions per day. Each mission underscores their unwavering dedication to delivering critical care whenever and wherever it is needed.

Community funding is integral to STARS’ operations. In addition to the annual STARS Lottery, which continues to be a major success year over year, anyone can donate at any time. Donations can be a one-time gift, monthly planned giving, a tribute (set up in someone’s name), purchasing the official STARS calendar, supporting events, leaving a legacy, or donating your car (running or not). There are even more unique ways to support STARS through recyclable refunds, direct mail drives, and company shares. Learn more on the STARS “ways to donate” page.

Nobody plans an accident or a sudden medical emergency but when one strikes, time is of the utmost essence. STARS makes a tangible difference in a region where incidences of farm accidents and hunting and fishing mishaps happen while being very far from medical care. This year, plan to support STARS as the life saved may be the one of a loved one or neighbour – or even your own.