On January 22, 2026, a STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) air ambulance — the STAR-3 helicopter from the Edmonton base — was dispatched to an emergency scene near Stettler, Alberta. The flight was sent to provide advanced medical care and, if required, rapid transport to specialist care in Edmonton; authorities have not released further patient details. Local emergency crews, including Heartland Regional Fire and ground ambulance teams, worked together to secure a landing zone and treat the person on scene.
Because Stettler is more than a two-hour drive from major hospitals in Edmonton (about 2 hours 15 minutes by road under ideal conditions), STARS functions as a flying intensive care unit for the community. The STAR-3 (an Airbus H145) is equipped to provide advanced life support, including the ability to carry and administer blood on scene and to perform advanced airway management during transport. Stettler County typically records about 16–20 STARS missions a year.
The flight took place under the province’s long-term agreement with the non-profit service: the Government of Alberta signed a 10-year contract with STARS in 2024 to help ensure rural residents have access to critical care. The Jan. 22 mission was among the first major STARS responses coordinated with the area’s new Heartland Regional Fire structure, established in late 2025. Using air ambulance transport can reduce the time to reach a trauma centre by more than 60%.
