The Municipal District of Opportunity has renewed its financial support for STARS, but local councillors expressed strong frustration over the air ambulance’s absence in Wabasca.
During the Aug. 24 meeting at the Calling Lake Community Complex, council voted to approve a five-year, $75,000 funding commitment to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service.
While STARS has flown 26 missions in the MD over the past five and a half years, Wabasca was noticeably missing from the presentation’s map of landing sites.
“I am totally upset that we are not being served in Wabasca by STARS,” said Councillor Darlene Jackson, adding the community has an aging hospital and barely any doctors.
The STARS delegation said their lack of presence in the hamlet stemmed from a misunderstanding about local infrastructure.
“With Wabasca, it’s been a bit of a challenge now,” the delegation said. “You don’t have a helipad, they closed the airport, and there’s no fuel.”
Multiple councillors quickly corrected the delegation, confirming the Wabasca airport is open and has a Chevron fuel pad. The runway was only closed for a single month last summer for repaving.
“I’ll look into that. I’m pretty upset I didn’t know,” the STARS presenter said.
However, the lack of a certified helipad at the Wabasca hospital remains a significant hurdle.
The delegation explained that while Transport Canada allows STARS to land in an uncertified field once for a life-saving emergency, repeated landings at a specific hospital require a certified helipad.
“When you keep going to the same spot, like if we’re wanting to go to Wabasca hospital, Transport Canada says, ‘Uh-uh, you need a helipad,’” the presenter said.
Jackson recalled a missed opportunity 14 years ago when STARS and the MD could have split the cost of a helipad, but the council at the time voted against spending the money. She urged the current council to look into building one now, noting there is plenty of open space near the hospital entrance.
“We know that seconds and minutes count in an emergency,” Jackson said. “Lot of times in the winter, a person can’t get out for almost a day, and we don’t have the technology at our hospital that STARS has.”
The STARS delegation offered to help the municipality navigate Transport Canada requirements, noting that a helipad built strictly for emergencies does not require expensive additions like lighting or large security fences.
In the meantime, the delegation highlighted the advanced technology they bring to rural emergencies, describing their helicopters as flying intensive care units. Equipment on board includes a video laryngoscope, an i-STAT blood analyzer and a LUCAS Chest Compression System.
“There isn’t anything else like us in the world,” the delegation said.
STARS celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The organization recently came under the leadership of new president and CEO Dr. John Froh, following the passing of founder Dr. Greg Powell on April 30, 2025.
“We are in good hands,” the delegation said.
Armaan Khanna
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter