The Portage la Prairie fire department recently received a presentation from a STARS pilot and the organization's Community Education team leader.  Captain Corey Jowett says the talk included everything from the history of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society to what they provide on their air transport. Jowett notes much of the presentation revolved around the firefighters' responsibilities regarding setting up and conducting landings on operation.

He says last year STARS landed in Portage thirty-three times, adding when they're arriving at an emergency incident it's important that the landing zone is safe and secure. Jowett notes traffic has to be stopped, a landing zone has to be set up, and the pilots have to be advised about any hazards in the immediate area. He adds firefighters then have to offer up scene security at the incident as well.

Jowett says all emergency services work as a chain of survival for the patient to ensure that the outcome is effective and efficient. He notes having STARS along adds an extra benefit for quick and rapid transport into Winnipeg. Jowett says the flight time from Portage to the Health Sciences Centre is nineteen minutes and adds when you're dealing with a critically injured patient where every second counts, it's imperative that everyone works together well.