STARS talks activity in Peace River region in past 15 years

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Inter-provincial air ambulance service STARS conducted 13 missions in the Peace River region this year, and more than 200 in the past 15 years. 

During the October 2nd meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, a delegation from STARS provided an overview of the air ambulance’s services in the region. 

Glenda Farnden, the senior municipal relations liaison at STARS, explained the air ambulance service had seen 236 transports from the Peace River region between 2010 and 2024. 

The organization operates six bases across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the base in Grande Prairie providing support for the Peace River region.

In 2024, STARS conducted 10 missions in the region, five inter-facility transfers (IFTs) and five on-scene attendances. 

As of October, Farnden stated there had been 13 missions in 2025; two IFTs and 11 on-scene attendances. 

“We work with all parts of [the] chain of survival…that includes ground ambulance, the dispatch centre, fixed wing [transportation and] all of your fire departments that are so wonderful to work with,” Farnden told the board.

The chain of survival is a term to describe all the crucial actions in treating life-threatening emergencies, and includes early access to an emergency response system, first aid, advanced care and transportation – where necessary – to qualified emergency medical and hospital personnel. 

“They help us to be able to keep everyone safe on the ground when we are responding to many scene calls throughout your area, [and] we work directly with your hospitals and your medical practitioners.” 

STARS is partially funded by the province of Alberta, which provides $15 million in financial contributions annually – about 41 per cent of the organization’s operating costs. Donations, fundraisers and Alberta lotteries cover the remaining 59 per cent. 

The organization estimates each base accrues approximately 12.2 million in operating costs a year, totalling more than $36.6 million annually.

In the September meeting, the PRRD approved a three-year funding commitment for STARS from 2026 to 2028 for $170,000 a year.

When asked by directors, Farnden explained STARS does not have a funding agreement with B.C.’s provincial government.