The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, known as STARS, deployed its Grande Prairie-based helicopter, STAR-5, to conduct a patient transfer near Valleyview on April 12, 2026. The mission involved moving a patient from the Valleyview Health Centre to a facility equipped for higher-level care.
Interfacility transfers are a core part of the operations for the non-profit organization, which provides critical care air ambulance services across Western Canada. The Grande Prairie base, which opened in 2006, serves as a vital resource for Northern Alberta and the Peace Region, including parts of northeastern British Columbia. The local base operates 24/7 as part of a larger network that includes six bases across three provinces, all coordinated through the STARS Emergency Link Centre in Calgary.
The need for rapid medical transport remains high in the north. In 2023 alone, more than 300 Grande Prairie residents were transported by the organization’s helicopters. STARS conducts these missions upon the request of emergency medical services and first responders, ensuring that patients receive timely care regardless of their distance from major urban centres.
Founded in 1985 by Dr. Gregory Powell, STARS has completed over 24,000 missions. The organization relies on a combination of government support and community funding to maintain its services. Alberta Health Services provides approximately $15 million in annual funding, which accounts for about half of the organization’s operating costs. The remaining funds are secured through community donations, corporate partnerships, and support from regional authorities like the Peace River Regional District, which provides $170,000 annually to support the Grande Prairie base.
