STARS being dispatched for a mission during Wednesday's event, photo courtesy Erika Rolling

By Erika Rolling

Charitable Donation

$1,000,000 commitment from Tourmaline to STARS Air Ambulance

Aug 17, 2022 | 2:43 PM

Alberta oil and gas company Tourmaline has pledged to donate $1 million to STARS Air Ambulance over five years.

Tourmaline and STARS held a joint B-B-Q on Wednesday to celebrate their monetary commitment to the life-saving service.

Tourmaline with Grande Prairie STARS helicopter at BBQ event, photo courtesy Erika Rolling

The Grande Prairie helicopter was dispatched during the event for an inter-facility transfer for a patient going to Edmonton.

Chief Operating Officer of Tourmaline, Al Bush says STARS is a significant part of their safety program and the business in which they operate.

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“It’s great to know they would have our backs if necessary. It’s one of those services that you hope you never have to call, but they are there when you need them.”

Bush noted the donation will benefit all.

“We are thinking about the communities that we work in, providing support for them as well so, I think it’s a critical piece to have in the north in particular.”

He says they are trying to raise awareness in other municipalities with their five-year commitment.

“STARS is partially government funded… but mostly a 50/50 split, so they are looking for funding all the time,” Bush says.

Chief Operating Officer of STARS Air Ambulance, Mike Lamacchia says the charitable donation will clearly support their operations.

“Here in Alberta we still have to raise fifty per cent of the money and so part of our operating budget is government supported, so it’s important to have companies like Tourmaline to donate.”

Lamacchia says since April 1, 2022, STARS has flown over 700 missions between Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie.

“It’s an unusually busy year, we hope it slows down, but we are always there for patients.”

“We’ve been in Grande Prairie since 2006 and the community since day one has been very supportive of STARS; from local council here in Grande Prairie to all our municipalities mayors and reeves… without their support, we wouldn’t be here,” he added.

The STARS COO says they fly on average eight times per day across western Canada, with Alberta averaging five per day.