Lessons from Rescue on the River: Worker Safety, Teamwork, and the Power of STARS

When six Alberta business leaders suited up for Rescue on the River on September 18, they weren’t just raising funds for STARS Air Ambulance. They were stepping into the shoes of at-risk workers, facing challenges that mirror the risks many Canadians experience every day in the field. 

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Field Safe was proud to support STARS by hosting the safety stations that participants were required to complete. Each station reflected real-world scenarios that lone and remote-based workers can encounter:

  • Station 1: Vehicle Walkaround – mandatory inspection before heading out.
  • Station 2: Hazard Identification – spotting and reporting visible hazards.
  • Station 3: Timed Lone Worker Check-In – ensuring safety while working alone.
  • Station 4: Incident Response – what to do when an injury occurs.
  • Station 5: Mass Notifications – communicating an emergency evacuation.
  • Station 6: Journey Management – logging safe travel to and from worksites.
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Building Realism Into Worker Safety Challenges

Field Safe was represented by Doug Junor (VP of Innovation) and Rayne Nichol (Director of Operations). Doug and Rayne led the technology for the stations and worked closely with STARS medics to create challenges that were both practical and eye-opening. “We wanted participants to feel the weight of the decisions at-risk workers make every day,” Doug explained. “These are executives who may have been in the field years ago, but not with today’s digital lone worker safety tools. Their reactions to how intuitive and effective digital safety solutions can be was inspiring.”

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For participants, simple tasks like logging hazards or responding to a mass notification quickly became lessons in communication, teamwork, and adaptability, the same skills that protect workers and save lives in real emergencies.

What We Learned Watching from the Sidelines

From their vantage point, Doug and Rayne saw leadership lessons come to life. Teams adapted under pressure, learned to rely on each other, and discovered how preparation and digital safety tools can make the difference in making sure everyone gets home safely after every shift. One participant noted how valuable it was to see multiple safety functions (from hazard reporting to journey management) integrated into a single system, underscoring how simplicity supports response in high-stress moments.

The event also highlighted Field Safe’s long-standing partnership with STARS Vigilant, the STARS subsidiary responsible for managing lone worker monitoring and emergency response. Participants saw firsthand the peace of mind that comes from knowing a trained responder is on the other end of a call the moment something goes wrong.

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Why Worker Safety and Teamwork Go Hand in Hand

Rescue on the River wasn’t just a simulation. It was a vivid reminder of the risks faced by lone workers and remote workers across Canada. Events like this serve as reminders that vigilance, preparation, and teamwork are key components of worker safety. They bring reality into focus for leaders who influence how safety is prioritized in their organizations. Nicole Segstro, Director of Business Development and Sales at STARS says, “Rescue on the River is more than just a fundraising event. It’s an opportunity to showcase the many ways that STARS supports the health and safety of Canadians in Western Canada. The dollars raised directly fuel our ability to provide Critical Care, Anywhere. Partnering with Field Safe Solutions amplifies that impact, helping us deliver cutting-edge technology and advanced safety solutions in our shared commitment to keep remote workers safe, connected and accounted for. Together, we’re not just saving lives, we’re saving futures.”

How You Can Support STARS

STARS has been saving lives across Western Canada for decades. Events like Rescue on the River and Rescue in the Rockies shine a spotlight on their mission, but you don’t need to rappel into a canyon or navigate a hazard zone to make a difference.

You can:

  • Donate directly to STARS at any time.
  • Participate in upcoming events in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond.
  • Follow and share STARS’ posts on social media to help raise awareness.

As Rayne summed it up: “We get as much out of this partnership as we give. Supporting STARS means supporting every worker, family, and community that depends on them.”

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What is Rescue on the River?


Rescue on the River is a fundraising event hosted by STARS Air Ambulance in Alberta where business leaders face simulated safety challenges designed to mirror real risks workers encounter in the field.

How does it support worker safety?

The event raises awareness and funding for STARS, while also demonstrating the importance of hazard identification, journey management, and lone worker safety practices.