New heights: AirMethods to expand its Life Flight fleet with a new aircraft

Air Methods, in collaboration with Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s, expand access to rapid, life-saving medical transport by adding a third helicopter to its Life Flight fleet. The addition of a new aircraft expands the coverage area of air transport services, including rural or isolated areas where other medical care may not be easily accessible. The helicopter can also be used for transferring critically ill or specialized care patients, enabling quick interfacility transport when patients need a higher level of care.

“Helicopter transport is critical in life-threatening, time-sensitive emergencies, like stroke, heart attack or trauma, where seconds make all the difference,” said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “At Baptist Health, we aim to meet people where and when they need us most with vital health care services. We value our continued collaboration with AirMethods to bring this new asset to our community to help ensure people have quick access to advanced emergency care when every second counts.”

Who’s on board?

Life Flight helicopters are staffed by a highly specialized team, consisting of a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic, all carefully trained to deliver critical care to patients.

• Pilots are skilled in aeromedical transport, weather navigation and high-risk landings to ensure a smooth, safe and fast patient transport.
• Certified Flight Registered Nurses and Certified Flight Paramedics work collaboratively to care for patients prior to reaching the hospital, executing trauma assessments, pain management, airway management and cardiac services.

When not on a mission, the crew dedicates their time to training fellow clinicians in the field and sharing their expertise through hands-on instruction and real-world simulations. They also serve as educators, conducting specialized courses and workshops to enhance critical care skills and emergency response capabilities.

“This longstanding relationship continues to grow, and we are honored to support Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital with an additional aircraft,” said Matt Turner, regional vice president at Air Methods. “Expanding Life Flight’s reach means more lives saved, faster access to care and a stronger health care network for the region.”

ICU care in the air

The helicopter is fully equipped with critical care medications, supplies and technology to care for both adults and children during transport. Key features of the advanced medical capabilities and equipment include:

• Advanced life support equipment like ventilators, defibrillators and patient monitors
• Oxygen and advanced airway support
• Blood products for transfusion
• Specialized cardiac support for patients requiring mechanical circulatory assistance

The Life Flight helicopter provides rapid access to Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s network of emergency centers throughout the region, including the health system’s main campus, which is home to the region’s only Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, expert level cardiovascular care and the Wolfson Children’s Porter Family Children’s Trauma Center, the region’s only state-designated, American College of Surgeons (ACS)-verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. As a Level I trauma center, Wolfson Children’s Hospital offers comprehensive trauma care for all injuries, including burns, drownings, falls, motor vehicle accidents and wounds.

The helicopter also serves as backup to additional Air Methods assets in the South Georgia and North Florida areas.

A legacy of excellence in flight

This year, Life Flight will celebrate 45 years of service. When it debuted in 1980, Life Flight was the second air ambulance in the state and one of only 40 in the nation. The Jacksonville area has nearly tripled in population since the initial launch of the single helicopter, and the expansion of the fleet helps meet the emergency care needs of the growing region.