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STARS pilot at the Grande Prairie base, Geo Rawlins (Photo supplied by the MD of Greenview)
By Shaun Penner
STARS Air Ambulance

MD of Greenview puts $500,000 towards purchase of new STARS helicopter

Feb 18, 2021 | 11:22 AM

STARS Air Ambulance says it is a step closer to being able to purchase a new medically equipped Airbus H145 helicopter for the Grande Prairie base. This comes after the MD of Greenview recently gifted the air ambulance service $500,000 to be put towards the purchase.

The desire to purchase the helicopter at the Grande Prairie base is part of the organization’s goal, announced in July of 2019, of replacing its fleet of BK117 and AW139 aircraft with nine new H145 helicopters, which come at the cost of $13-million each.

“With this latest investment of $500,000 toward the purchase of a medically equipped H145 helicopter, Greenview is pleased to support STARS to provide security, peace of mind, and enhance our emergency services,” said Reeve Dale Smith, in a release.

The gift from Greenview comes on top of those announced by both the County of Grande Prairie and Saddle Hills County in 2020, who also put forward $500,000 each for the new aircraft.

The MD of Greenview has partnered with STARS since the base in Grande Prairie opened in 2006. The MD funds the base to the tune of $210,000 per year.

“Having access to STARS can mean the difference between life and death,” said Wayne Brown, regional fire chief for Greenview. “This new helicopter will ensure that the Greenview community has access to leading-edge critical care, no matter where the emergency occurs.”

STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson says the current fleet is becoming costlier to maintain, which is why they eager to have their full compliment of H145’s up in the air.

“These new aircraft are an investment in our ability to serve the most critically ill and injured patients across Western Canada for decades to come,” said Robertson. “We’re incredibly grateful to the MD of Greenview for their financial support toward a new H145 helicopter at the Grande Prairie base, helping get us closer to our overall fleet renewal goal.”

STARS hopes to have all nine new H145 helicopters in the air by 2022.

by Shaun Penner