We've all seen the familiar colors of orange and blue dashing across the Texas sky to an accident scene and then landing on a highway or in a field to lend aid to the sick and injured.  From major motor vehicle accidents to the small East Texas hospital trying to get a premature infant to an advanced care facility, the loud hum of a helicopter engine means help is on the way.

 

 

 

     For a quarter of a century, CareFlite, a symbol of emergent care in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, has saved thousands of lives.  This year on October 1, CareFlite reaches another milestone - its 25th anniversary of serving the community. 

 

     As the Metroplex grew in the late 1970's, so did the need for an air ambulance transport service.  Two local hospitals realized a helicopter could make a life-saving difference for critically ill patients.  In 1979, Harris Medthodist Fort Worth Hospital and Methodist Dallas Medical Center joined forces to establish CareFlite, adding a new dimension to DFW emergency care.  One Helicopter, shared between the two hospitals, transported about 20 patients a month.

 

 

     Today, Careflite is an independent, non-profit organization that operates five helicopter bases, (Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Denton Community Hospital, The Frisco Fire Department, and Grand Prairie Airport), a ground ambulance service, a state-of-the-art communications center, a fixed wing program, a thriving outreach education program, and provides the 911 services in Johnson County.  In addition to turning 25 this year, CareFlite will embark upon another milestone - 70,000 life-saving transports.  Each Helicopter crew includes, A pilot with thousands of hours of flight experience, A registered nurse with a minimum of five years critical care and/or emergency nursing experience and a Paramedic with at least four years of progressive 911 experience.  All Crew members are trained in trauma, cardiac, neonatal, obstetrics, pediatrics, and burn care, as well as lab proficiency skills.

 

 

 

     The fixed wing aircraft can be utilized within the region or thoughout the world.  It can be beneficial in both emergent and non-emergent interfacility tranfers.  CareFlite utilizes a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft as a fully dedicated air ambulance.  The turbo-prop engine airplane is based at Grand Prairie airport. The Pilatus can travel up to 1,400 miles before refueling is needed.  This aircraft is configured to transport one adult patient, one adult patient plus one isolette, or two isolettes in conjuction with two medical personnel and if appropriate, one family member.

  

   CareFlite is the only not-for-profit, full service medical transportation provider in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 

 

    This was my second time flying with CareFlite's Harris Methodist Fort Worth crew on their Third-Rider Program. We flew to Midlothian on a PR call where the crew showed a video, taught a landing zone class and answered questions to at the local Firefighters Academy.  Then later that afternoon we hopped back on the helicopter for a short 23 minute flight to Stephenville.  We landed in a designated LZ inside a parking lot across the street from the hospital, it was "tight squeeze" I thought!!  We transported an elderly male back to Harris Methodist Fort Worth.  All CareFlite Crews I have flown with are very professional and courteous.  My hat goes off to these guys.