Travis County STAR Flight

STAR Flight is a county government air rescue service run by Travis County Emergency Services in Austin, Texas. It is not a hospital programme. It flies helicopters for emergency medical transport and for several kinds of rescue.

Services

The site calls STAR Flight a public safety air rescue program. It moves critically ill patients, including heart attack, stroke and trauma cases. It also takes transfers from rural hospitals that need a higher level of care. Other work includes water rescue, search and rescue, high angle rescue and fire support.

Aircraft and bases

The home page says STAR Flight maintains and operates three Leonardo AW169 helicopters. It says it was the first helicopter EMS and rescue agency in the United States to fly the AW169. Crews can reach patients by hoist. The site lists flight paramedics, pilots and mechanics on staff.

Coverage area

The site says it protects Travis County and also serves 19 other counties in the Central Texas area. It is sent through the 911 system, and the site says it can be sent straight to a scene when an ambulance would take longer than 20 minutes.

Rescue skills

The site says crews can reach a patient from the air by hoist and begin advanced care. All medical crews train hundreds of hours each year. The program describes Travis County and the Texas Hill Country as Flash Flood Alley, and water rescue is a key part of its work. The page also links to videos and a feedback form.

Safety

The site posts a Safety Management System manual. It says the manual guides all staff in safe operations. The home page also says STAR Flight is the only 24 hour aerial emergency medical service in Texas that does this range of rescue work.

Facts

• Run by Travis County, Texas.
• The site says liftoff times average between 4 and 8 minutes.
• Crews train for cliff, still water and swift water rescue.
• Based in Austin, Texas.