The May long weekend is days away. For STARS Air Ambulance, it is also one of the most demanding stretches of the year.
Over the last five years, the service has averaged a 113 per cent increase in emergency transport requests over the long weekend compared to a typical spring weekend. Officials say more people on roads, trails, and waterways means more chances for something to go wrong.
On an average spring weekend before summer picks up, STARS handles fewer than 100 requests and flies about 20 missions. Last year’s May long weekend pushed request volumes up nearly 132 per cent from April figures.
“Increased mobility – more people on highways, in rural areas, on trails or waterways – naturally raises risk,” said Josh Nash, STARS’ provincial director of Alberta operations. “Preparedness and prevention can significantly reduce that risk.”
The organization says weather, travel patterns, and outdoor activity all affect how busy crews get. Winnipeg and Calgary are typically its highest-volume bases, though good flying conditions allow more missions across all regions.
STARS is asking people heading out this weekend to plan routes and take fatigue breaks, wear protective gear for recreational activities, drive sober and within road conditions, and let someone know their plans – especially in remote areas.
“Our crews will always be ready to respond,” said Grant Therrien, provincial director of Manitoba and Saskatchewan operations. “But the goal is to see fewer calls – not more.”
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