WHEREAS small communities rely on air ambulance services to transport approved patients to critical care centers; AND WHEREAS northeastern BC patients could have access to STARS Air Ambulance Services based in Grande Prairie, Alberta, were it not for an inability to resolve jurisdictional issues with BC Ambulance Services: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities submit a letter to the provincial government, indicating the need for a speedy resolution of jurisdictional issues between BC Ambulance Services and STARS Air Ambulance Services.
BRITISH COLUMBIA AMBULANCE SERVICE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH For members of the public who become ill on injured in northeastern BC, BC Ambulance Services BCAS has a range of transport options available to them, including ground ambulances, BCAS fixed-wing aircraft, ad hoc helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, and STARS. The mode of transport is determined by the patient need and the opportunity to affect a positive outcome for the patient. When STARS is the best option for getting patients to the care they need, BCAS contacts STARS to complete the call. This includes authorising the use of STARS five times in the North, for a combination of 911 calls and patient transfers.