1985

• The rotary air ambulance program, initially named Lions Air Ambulance Service, is established as a result of medical community concerns that Alberta had a 50 per cent higher death rate due to trauma when compared to other leading Canadian trauma centres.

• The first mission is flown in December to transport a critically ill infant to tertiary care in Calgary.

1986

• Significant funding for the service is provided by the Lions of Alberta Foundation.

• STARS is incorporated as a society.

1988

• STARS receives formal recognition as an essential service when the organization is integrated into emergency planning for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games.

1991

• STARS’ Edmonton base is established and carries out its first mission in October.

• STARS is awarded rotary and fixed wing air medical ambulance contracts for both Edmonton and Calgary bases by the provincial government.

• The Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Foundation is established to consolidate STARS fundraising programs and provide opportunities for long-term funding.

1992

• STARBEAR, the official mascot of STARS is born.

1993

• The first Calendar Campaign to raise funds for STARS takes place.

1994

• The first STARS Lottery is held.

• The fixed wing repatriation program is developed.

1995

• STARS celebrates its 10th anniversary.

1996

• The STARS Emergency Link Centre is established with funding received from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

• STARS Aviation Canada Inc. is established with the financed purchase of the Calgary and Edmonton helicopters.

1998

• A successful STARS Seconds Count Capital Campaign launches to raise funds to pay out loans on STARS’ two helicopters.

• STARS receives full accreditation as a critical care provider from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).

• STARS is presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Special Recognition Category) by the business community for excellence in management and leadership.

1999

• The Chain of Survival Fund is established to provide community emergency service providers with financial assistance for medical equipment and training needs.

• The Human Patient Simulator Program is established in Alberta through the support of founding donors Lions International Multiple District 37 and Lockerbie & Hole.

2000

• STARS celebrates its 15th anniversary.

• STARS’ third helicopter takes flight as the back-up and support helicopter to the two primary helicopters for use during times of maintenance and repair.

2001

• The international Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) names STARS the recipient of its prestigious Program of the Year Award. STARS is the first international and first Canadian program to receive this honour.

• STARS purchases a fourth helicopter for operational back-up and training to meet future additional aircraft requirements.

2002

• STARS is requested to be the air medical provider for the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. To ensure mission availability, STARS’ fourth helicopter is now ready for mission operations.

• STARS surpasses the 10,000 mission milestone.

2003

• A mission to carry a patient from southeastern Alberta to Calgary marks STARS’ first mission utilizing Night Vision Goggle (NVG) technology. It is also the first civilian air carrier to use NVG technology in Canada.

2004

• The Vision Critical Campaign is launched to raise funds for the purchase of two new technology helicopters and to establish THE STARS CENTRE for education and research - efforts leading toward enhanced patient care.

• For the first time, STARS simultaneously mobilizes three helicopters to respond to medical need in central Alberta.

• A unique training system, Full Mission Simulation (FMS), is developed by STARS. FMS allows the medical and aviation crew to train as a team in a simulated environment.

• STARS develops plans to enhance its site registration program over the coming three years through $1 million in funding jointly provided by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (SEPAC).

2005

• STARS acquires a fifth helicopter as an interim solution to meet the growing need in the community until the larger, new technology helicopters arrive in the next two to three years.

• STARS is recognized with a Neil J. Armstrong Memorial Award. The Armstrong Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence and a high level of achievement within the aviation and space industry of Western Canada.

• Dr. Greg Powell, founder and STARS President and CEO, is named one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century.

2006

• STARS establishes a base in Grande Prairie. Operations begin on November 1 on a 12-hour, seven day a week basis.

2007

• Grande Prairie base begins operating on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis.
• Dr. Gregory Powell is made an officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to health care during a ceremony in Ottawa presided over by Governor General Michaelle Jean.
• STARS opens a Foundation office in Lethbridge, Alberta.

2008

• STARS receives multiple awards including: Best Off-Service Rotation Award from the Royal College emergency medicine residency program, Gold Quill Award of Merit from the International Association of Business Communicators, Community Spirit Award from the Developmental Disability Resource Centre and Best Places to Work from Calgary Inc. Magazine.

2009

• STARS is recognized as one of the top three contenders in the not-for-profit sector of the Conference Board of Canada/Spencer Stuart 2009 National Awards.

2010

• STARS celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• STARS and Alberta Health Services sign a 10-year affiliation agreement.