Residents in Portage la Prairie are benefiting from faster access to critical care thanks to local infrastructure and aviation expertise, with one STARS pilot pointing to major improvements in patient transport and response efficiency. Rob Kamphuis, a STARS pilot from Portage, has spent years connected to the community both professionally and personally, offering a unique perspective on how local investments are shaping emergency response outcomes. Related stories: Be part of the next rescue: STARS radiothon returns next week ‘I don’t believe I would have made it’: STARS VIP shares story Stream all our news stories: Country 93 / Mix 96 / CFRY 920 Kamphuis has lived in Portage la Prairie since 2010 and served as commandant at Southport for two years. He explains that many STARS pilots share similar training backgrounds, noting that the region has played a meaningful role in developing aviation expertise. “The helipad has been a game changer in terms of efficiency,” says Kamphuis. “We used to fly into Southport Airport and then transfer patients from there, which added a significant amount of time. Now we can land right at the hospital, go straight in, pick up the patient, and head directly to Winnipeg. It is probably the most efficient way to move a critical patient into the city.” He notes that geography in the Central Plains region works in their favour, though it still requires careful navigation. “It is relatively flat, so there are usually options like roads or fields for landing,” explains Kamphuis. “That said, there are always hazards, especially power lines, which can be difficult to see when flying low. We take our time, conduct proper reconnaissance, and make sure everything is safe before landing.” Faster response times The proximity between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre plays a key role in response times, allowing STARS crews to move quickly when minutes matter most. “It is about a 20-minute flight from Winnipeg to the Portage helipad, and roughly the same on the way back,” says Kamphuis. “That quick turnaround makes a big difference when dealing with critical patients.” Advanced equipment and community support Kamphuis also highlights the advanced technology on board STARS helicopters, emphasizing how both aviation and medical systems contribute to patient care. “The aircraft is equipped with everything a pilot would want in terms of safety and capability,” continues Kamphuis. “It includes terrain awareness systems, collision avoidance, dual GPS, radar, and a fully coupled autopilot. It really is top tier.” He adds that community support, particularly through fundraising efforts like the STARS radiothon, plays a major role in maintaining and enhancing that equipment. “A lot of what we use, especially in the back for medical care, comes from those donations,” notes Kamphuis. “That includes tools like ultrasound equipment and the training that goes along with it. Even things like night vision goggles require ongoing investment and support.” While Southport remains part of the broader aviation landscape, Kamphuis says it is no longer central to STARS operations in the region, aside from occasional coordination within its control zone or rare fueling needs. For more stories of rescue against the odds, stream or tune in to the Critical Care on the Air Radiothon presented by BHP and Parrish & Heimbecker in support of STARS on April 7 and 8.