Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society

The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) was formed in Calgary, Alberta, as a means of funding the purchase of the city's first medical evacuation helicopter (Air Ambulance). The Calgary base has been in operation since 1985. A base was opened in Edmonton in 1991 and in late 2006, STARS opened a base in Grande Prairie.

The STARS helicopter fleet covers within 250 km of both Calgary and Edmonton which contains the greater population of Alberta. While STARS owns 5 Eurocopter BK 117 helicopters, two are constantly prepared to respond to medical emergencies and largely decrease transport times for injured people to get to an appropriate medical facility.

STARS is a non-profit charitable organization. Funding needs are met through private donations received from individuals, service groups, businesses and corporations, and through collaborative affliation agreements with Capital Health and Calgary Health Region.

STARS also holds a lottery every year to generate funding for the service, the five BK-117 helicopters and the maintenance required to keep them air worthy.

External link

 * STARS official website