M.D. of Willow Creek council updated on STARS Air Ambulance

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
STARS Air Ambulance plays a vital role in the Municipal District of Willow Creek when called upon.
The M.D. council was recently updated on its activities and agreed to provide $10,000 per year to STARS each year for the next four years.
Glenda Farnden, of STARS Air Ambulance, appeared as a delegation at council’s June 22 meeting to provide an update.
She began by expressing her appreciation for the M.D.’s on-going partnership with STARS, noting the M.D.’s efforts help to enhance and support STARS.
She explained STARS’ number one priority is uninterrupted operations, especially during the pandemic.
STARS obeys strict protocols as it flies about 10 missions a day across six bases and three provinces.
There has been an increase in stress-related types of missions, while one in five STARS missions were COVID-19 related. That is now decreasing along with decreasing hospitalizations.
STARS-transport physicians assist hospital personnel; provide critical care guidance; virtual consultations; airway management; and ventilation/resuscitation.
STARS provides a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week safety network.
It has access to available resources such as GIS, or Global Information System, mapping; and pre-set coordinates.
With transport physicians, there is medical oversight on all critical calls; a mechanism for injury/illness; and they determine and dispatch appropriate levels of response.
There are 99 requests per day, and there were more than 36,000 emergency requests received last year.
Transport physicians coordinate complex logistics; and schedule, with receiving hospitals, neurosurgeons; mobilize specialty teams; cardiac cath lab; and the CAT scanner, which is a prerequisite for stroke patients.
Physicians in virtual consultation provide face-to-face decisions; transmit real-time diagnostics; and achieve positive results such as to critical/trauma patients; direct delivery to the operating room; and improved patient outcomes.
STARS has had to “think outside the box” since the pandemic.
They have identified efficiencies in operations; fundraising; and they have down-sized staff in affected areas.
The STARS lottery is the single-largest funding source; the STARS calendar campaign has decreased with the inability to travel; but there have been calendar sales at municipal offices across Alberta.
They have pivoted to safe online events, but the future for events is unforeseeable. However, rural communities have hosted online 50/50 draws and raffles; and Fort Macleod has held a fundraising volleyball tournament since 2002.
The Alberta government has also provided support. It has released its Helicopter Emergency Medical Services review; and Alberta Health Services announced 50 percent funding for STARS, although the funding date is yet to be determined.
Farnden noted of all funding in Alberta for STARS, 80 per cent comes from fundraising and 20 per cent from government.
Aviation operations account for 52 per cent of expenditures; clinical operations account for 30 per cent; base operations and administration make up 12 per cent; and the STARS emergency link centre makes up six per cent.
As of June 2, 2022, there were three missions from the Claresholm General Hospital; one near Claresholm; two from the Fort Macleod Hospital ; and one near Fort Macleod.
Since 2017, there have been 50 missions from Claresholm General Hospitals; 12 near Claresholm; one near Eden Valley, within the M.D.; 37 to Fort Macleod Hospital; 11 near Fort Macleod; one near Glenwood, within the M.D.; two near Granum; 28 near Nanton; three near Pearce; and two near Stavely.
Farnden said municipalities support STARS. They see it as an essential service and an emergency protective services asset.
Many provide a per capita grant ranging from $2 to $90 per capita.
There are also many regional partnerships, such as with the M.D.
Farnden also talked about the recent capital campaign, which was $138 million to buy new helicopters.
A total of $65 million came from the federal government for five helicopters; $13 million from the Saskatchewan government for one helicopter; $13 million from the Alberta government for one helicopter; and $47 million from corporate and business, dedicated individuals and municipalities’ contributions.
A total of 10 helicopters were purchased. The plan was for nine initially, but competitive pricing, and the proceeds of the sale of used helicopters, allowed for a 10th to be purchased.
The last two of the nine have arrived, with the 10th helicopter arriving in the fall.
The new helicopter, the H145, is replacing the previous BK117 and has breakthrough technology.
It outperforms its predecessor with increased speed, range and fuel efficiency; has powerful twin engines; advanced avionics including auto-pilot, auto-hover, reduced pilot fatigue, and superior safety features; a new five-bladed system, with increased lift/load capacity, and is beneficial in complex terrain; and less maintenance is required, reducing cost and increasing availability.
Farnden also pointed out STARS provides the highest level of critical care including world-class expertise; a STARS intensive care unit nurse and advance life support paramedic; transport physician oversight; cutting edge diagnostics; bluetooth/integrated wifi; satellite connectivity; virtual enhancements; transit test results; and critical care anywhere.
She concluded by asking the M.D. to renew its partnership with STARS, a commitment of $2 per capita per year for another four years – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
“A life is saved every day and it’s possible because of partnerships,” Farnden said.
Coun. Glen Alm asked when would STARS come out to his ranch well out of town? Should he load an injured patient and bring them to town or wait for the air ambulance? Will STARS come if needed?
Farnden said for $160 per year, any ranch, farm, business can register their site with STARS.
It links them to STARS directly.
“You will have direct access,” she said.
STARS will look for the closest resources but will respond.
The program is called “vigilant” and can be accessed on the STARS website.
She also noted people can call STARS directly. There is a misconception they have to be called by a medical professional or emergency medical services.
Later in the meeting, council agreed to provide STARS with a $10,000 grant and another $2,500 to HALO Air Ambulance which services southeast Alberta, and has been accessed by M.D. ratepayers.
That total of $12,500 is just over $2 per capita.