STARS helicopter pilot using night vision goggles

People will see an increased presence of STARS helicopters landing and taking off north of Warman during the evening hours of Monday, January 16 and Tuesday, January 17.

There is no emergency, according to Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin. The flights are part of ongoing training for STARS helicopter pilots and firefighting personnel from area communities.

“STARS will be doing night landings using night vision goggles,” said Austin. “The landings will take place at the Warman Fire Rescue training grounds north of Warman adjacent to Highway 305.

“Firefighters from Warman, Martensville, Dalmeny, Langham and Osler will be on the ground taking part in training aimed at directing the helicopters to land and take off safely.”

The night landings are slated to take place between 7 pm and 10 pm on both nights. About 25 firefighters per night will be involved in the training sessions, which are split into four time slots during the three-hour period.

The night training sessions are also being filmed by an independent production company. The footage will be incorporated into a series of training films for emergency response personnel across western Canada. Several scenes for the instruction films were shot earlier this year at the Warman Fire Rescue training grounds north of Warman.