Air Ambulance service is now available in Saskatoon.

The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society will operate out of a temporary hangar near the airport, and will provide service for people more than 500 kilometres out of the city.

John Cowan, a former STARS patient in Alberta, was on hand for the opening day today (Mon).

He was involved in an accident in 2008 that left him with a severe brain injury.

He says STARS is the only reason he is alive and well today, "I acquired a diffuse axonal brain injury as a result of the accident, meaning that the injury affected more than 1 area of the brain. Typically people with that injury don't make it out of the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, and if they do, are usually limited to a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. I am extremely grateful for STARS and am happy that the service that helped save my life will now be offered for people in Saskatchewan."

Saskatoon's air ambulance base marks the second one in the province.

The first base, launched out of Regina this past April, has already completed more than 80 missions ranging from emergency scene calls to inter-hospital transfers.

Matt Greenway was a pilot for STARS in Regina and has now transferred to Saskatoon.

He has already noticed a great response from people living in rural areas, "I've talked to so many farmers and they say that they figured because of their career choice, it meant that getting hurt could easily be fatal. People are excited about it and they realize that just because you live off the beaten path, doesn't mean you're out of reach from a helping hand."

Saskatoon's base currently has one helicopter but an upgraded one will be added to the fleet by late 2013.

By 2014, Saskatoon's base will move to a permanent hangar at the airport, and the landing spot will be moved from a temporary pad on the east side of the city, to the roof of the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan.

(jl oct 15/12)