STARS was created by the community, for the community.

Since our very first mission in 1985, providing critical care, anywhere has been our North Star – our guiding light in everything we do. From a single helicopter to a network of highly skilled professionals providing care in the air, on the ground, or virtually, STARS has grown into a leading-edge innovator, harnessing our passion for saving lives to shape the future of critical care.

As we’ve grown and evolved, STARS has never wavered from our mission. Fundamentally we believe that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are. If you need critical care, our mission is to be there for you in whatever capacity we can help. Because when it comes to the next patient who needs us, it’s never too far.

STARS is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that responds to community needs. To do this, we rely on a model that blends support from several sources. STARS is funded by our allies – generous individuals, organizations, businesses, event partners and governments – this model gives us financial stability as well as the ability to fundraise for excellence.

Support from our communities doesn’t just make STARS possible, it makes us exceptional. Governments at all levels are subject to many economic, political, and community priorities. If we rely exclusively on government funding, we cannot maintain our vital program and keep it cutting edge.

Community support fuels our innovation. From medical equipment and procedures, to aviation tools like night vision goggles, to training aids like human patient simulators – none of this would be possible without investment from the community.

Much of the success of STARS rests largely on the talents of our valued crew. STARS experienced nurses and paramedics typically have at least five years professional background in hospitals or ambulance services, before joining us. Those selected, must then successfully complete a comprehensive and intensive 10-week induction training program that exceeds 200 hours of instruction before they can accept their first mission. After that, a minimum of 96 hours of ongoing specialized air ambulance and critical care training is required annually, for as long as they work for STARS.

Becoming a STARS transport physician doesn’t come easy either. Our doctors come from backgrounds that include specialty level emergency medicine and other critical care fields. Like our nurses and paramedics, STARS transport physicians work in the local community and must meet ongoing training requirements.

On-board the aircraft, patients are always cared for by a STARS flight nurse and flight paramedic team. A transport physician accompanies the patient when required, about 20 per cent of the time. Otherwise, they are always available for consultation through telephone or radio link.
Whether by air, ground, or virtually, the expert care delivered by our doctors, nurses, and paramedics comes in many forms.

The STARS Emergency Link Centre also acts as a critical care logistics hub, connecting patients with help beyond STARS.  Staffed by our team of highly-skilled emergency communications specialists, the ELC oversees STARS helicopter missions, coordinates transport and care for critically ill and injured patients and facilitates virtual medical consultations with our team of critical care experts.

They also:
• Manage requests for deployment of helicopters and determine availability of our helicopters.
• Monitor the location of our helicopters during missions.
• Communicate with our transport physicians, air medical crews and industry partners on the ground, including ground ambulance, fire services, and hospital staff.
• Coordinate landing zone preparation prior to crew arrival.
• Activate and dispatch a range of volunteer search and rescue agencies as needed.

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. In all cases, we select the best mode of transport for the patient based on their unique circumstances.

STARS also facilitates a critical care transport medicine education program for all air medical personnel (fixed wing and rotary) in the province. This provides consistent training and equitable education opportunities. STARS also coordinates the movement of critically ill patients from rural hospitals to larger centres.

By supporting STARS, you are a key ally in our fight to save lives. STARS total operating expenses per base is approximately $11.4 million a year.

From the beginning, STARS has relied on our allies to help fulfill our mission of providing critical care, anywhere. You support essential education and training, necessary tools, and new and improved technology, allowing us to continue providing critical care when it’s needed most. You make it possible for us to save lives, every day.

Whether you make a donation, buy a STARS Calendar or Lottery ticket, or volunteer your time, you help make a difference. To see the various ways you can help support STARS, click here: https://stars.ca/ways-to-donate/ab/