The STARS air ambulance team based in Grande Prairie moved a patient between medical facilities in the Peace River, Alberta area on March 9, 2026. This flight allowed the patient to be moved quickly to a hospital that offers more specialized medical treatment than what was available locally.
The flight was handled by the Grande Prairie base, which is also known by its call sign STAR-5. Local medical staff in the Peace River region worked with the flight crew to coordinate the hand-off and ensure the patient remained stable during the trip.
According to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, the organization operates as a non-profit charity. The service relies on money from community donations, corporate partners, and the provincial government to keep its helicopters and medical teams ready to respond.
The air ambulance base in Grande Prairie was first set up in 2006 to help people across northern Alberta get to critical care faster. These types of transfers between facilities are a regular part of how the service supports rural health centres and connects patients to larger hospitals.
