TraumaOne: Flight Services
Video: 25 Years of TraumaOne Flight Services
TraumaOne's aeromedical ambulance service is used exclusively to transport severely
injured patients and those suffering from strokes, poison exposure or cardiac emergencies.
TraumaOne flight services and ShandsCair, the aeromedical service at Shands at the
University of Florida in Gainesville, each transport approximately 1,000 patients
per year.
The TraumaOne air ambulance network is supported by a staff of specially trained
medical personnel who operate and supervise the air ambulance service at Shands
Jacksonville and Shands at Lake Shore in Lake City. TraumaOne flight crews consist
of pilots, flight nurses and paramedics. The TraumaOne flight crew follows specific
written medical protocols for the treatment and transport of trauma patients.
The Aircraft
The TraumaOne helicopters are considered flying intensive care units. Each has the
capacity to carry a crew of three as well as two patients. The interiors can be
converted to support an intra-aortic balloon pump as well as a neonatal transport
device. These state-of-the-art aircraft travel at 175 miles per hour and together
cover a radius of 150 miles within northeast Florida and south Georgia. The ShandsCair
helicopter covers the 75-mile radius surrounding Gainesville, but can be used in
other locations when necessary.
Service Area
TraumaOne's flight services in Jacksonville responds to emergency medical service
(EMS) calls within a 70-mile radius, covering Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker,
Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, Putnam, Suwannee, Union and many other smaller counties
in Florida, as well as Camden, Charlton, Folkston, Waycross, Woodbine and surrounding
counties in Georgia.
TraumaOne's flight services at Lake City covers a 6o-mile radius, including Alachua,
Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison,
Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and surrounding counties in Florida and Folkston,
Statenville and surrounding areas in Georgia. There is some overlap in the service
areas, with the closest helicopter responding to the emergency at hand and both
flying patients to Shands Jacksonville or the nearest appropriate medical facility.
ShandsCair, out
of Gainesville, serves the 75-mile radius around Gainesville but is accessible as
backup for the TraumaOne aircraft. State regulations require air ambulances to respond
to emergency calls placed only by EMS and physicians for patients with severe injuries.
If you or someone you know requires emergency care, call 911 and TraumaOne will
be dispatched as needed.