The non-profit Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) helicopter ambulance and expert medical crew will once again be providing emergency medical response during the expected spring flooding event. This announcement was made by Premier Greg Selinger.
“The unique ability of a helicopter to provide rapid response to emergencies and transport patients for a faster arrival at Manitoba’s medical centres of excellence was proven in 2009 when life-saving missions were attributed to STARS,” said Selinger. “This year, the STARS aircraft and expert medical crew will be equipped with night vision to allow response around the clock.”
“We welcome the opportunity to support Manitoba’s flood-related emergency-response effort by providing a helicopter-based, emergency medical service,” said Dr. Greg Powell, president and chief executive officer of STARS. “Our crew members include two pilots, a flight paramedic and flight nurse with critical-care skills who will maintain the excellent working relationship with emergency services and health-care providers in Manitoba that started in 2009.”
STARS is a charitable, non-profit organization that has responded to more than 20,000 emergencies since it began in 1985. The service responds to critically injured and ill patients, with approximately half of its missions being inter-hospital while the other half are on-scene calls such as on highways, in remote areas and industry work sites. It is the only civilian helicopter service that uses night-vision goggles, which can significantly increase the ability to locate and reach patients at night.
Manitoba has committed to the establishment of a helicopter medical response program.
“While having the STARS helicopter here for the spring will help ensure continued medical response during the flood, it will also allow us to accelerate the development of our permanent helicopter ambulance program in Manitoba,” said Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“Manitoba already has considerable expertise in emergency response on the ground and is a leader in the implementation of advanced integrated programs in cardiac, stroke and trauma care. Integrating the helicopter air ambulance with these programs will extend the range of this expertise to rural residents in a large portion of Manitoba and, if the results of existing Winnipeg-based programs can be replicated, it could be expected to save 30 to 50 lives annually,” the premier added.
The STARS service is one of several elements in the province’s effort to prepare for spring flooding this year including a $21-million investment in a variety of water barriers, sandbag-making machines, a third Amphibex icebreaker and ice-cutting machines.
The premier also noted the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has bolstered its search and rescue capacity with helicopter aerial rescue air support, adding to existing OFC capabilities such as water rescue, ground search and rescue, building collapse, hazardous materials and technical response assistance to municipalities.
