STARS gets boost from province, Nutrien
Upkeep and parts increasingly difficult as current models no longer made
“Woo hoo!” were the first words out of STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson after a funding announcement made by Nutrien and the provincial government Tuesday morning.
Thanks to renewed funding commitments by both parties, STARS is two-thirds of the way toward replacing their fleet of helicopters in Saskatchewan.
“These long-serving, reliable work horses that have been incredible for us are reaching the end of their lifespan and they need to be replaced,” Robertson said. “The manufacturers stopped making them and they’re getting costlier to maintain and it’s difficult to acquire parts to keep them flying 24/7.”
She credited the existence of STARS in Saskatchewan to the organization’s largest donors every year, the Government of Saskatchewan.
Minister of Rural and Remote Health Greg Ottenbreit announced the province’s commitment to renew its 10-year agreement with STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) as well as provide funding for one of three new helicopters needed.
“This once-in-a-generation investment will help ensure that emergency medical services can continue to reach critically ill or injured patients quickly,” said Ottenbreit.
“In the aftermath of last April’s tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash, we are reminded once again how important it is to have supports in place to meet the heavy demands placed on our healthcare system,” he said.
Nutrien also announced renewed support for STARS and committed to funding the purchase of a new Airbus H145 helicopter set to arrive in Saskatchewan in 2019. The other two new helicopters will be phased in by 2023.
They will replace the BK117 models currently used by STARS.
A capital fundraising campaign is being launched to raise enough money to purchase the third helicopter as part of its Keep the Fight in Flight campaign announced in June 2018.
According to STARS, the new helicopters cost approximately $13 million each.
STARS is also aiming to replace fleets in Alberta and Manitoba, which means purchasing nine new aircraft over the next five years — five in Alberta, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba — to operate their six bases.
The yearly operational costs are approximately $10 million per base, which does not include the cost of new aircraft.
STARS is relying on partners in the business community, municipalities, service clubs and individual donors to help raise the money for the new helicopters.
In terms of operating costs, the provincial government provides about half of the funding for STARS each year.
“Because of today’s announcement we’ll be able to be available for decades to come,” Robertson said.
“We are one piece of this great big puzzle we call health care in the province of Saskatchewan,” she said. “We couldn’t do our job without fire, police, RCMP, first responders — we’re just one piece of this.”
Since beginning operations in Saskatchewan in April 2012, STARS has transported more than 4,100 patients and provided specialized critical care training and hands-on simulation to thousands of health care providers across the province.
For more information on the Keep the Fight in Flight campaign visit fightinflight.ca.