CareFlite Bell 429 with CareFlite ground ambulance in background

CareFlite is a nonprofit ambulance service based in Grand Prairie, Texas, which operates throughout North and Central Texas.[1] CareFlite's original namesake service is helicopter air ambulance, though today it also performs fixed-wing and ground transport.[2]

CareFlite's Board of Directors includes representatives from Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health Care System, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and the JPS Health Network.[3]

History

CareFlite began operations in 1979. It originated with one helicopter, a Bell 206L, which was shared between Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital. CareFlite augmented their air ambulance service with ground operations in 1981.[4][2]

Fleet

Current aircraft

Bell 429 in CareFlite livery

CareFlite currently operates six helicopters, one fixed-wing aircraft, and several ground ambulances.[3]

Former aircraft

Bell 407GX in CareFlite livery

Operations

Helicopter flight crew

Each CareFlite helicopter is staffed by a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic meeting the following minimum requirements:

Pilot

  • ATP Rotorcraft Certification
  • 2500 hours helicopter total time
  • 500 turbine flight hours
  • 200 unaided night-flight hours [8]

Nurse

  • At least five years emergency room and/or intensive care unit experience
  • Paramedic license or certification
  • CFRN
  • ACLS
  • ATLS or TPATC
  • PALS
  • S.T.A.B.L.E.
  • NRP

Paramedic

  • At least 5 years progressive 9-1-1 experience
  • FP-C
  • ACLS
  • ATLS or TPATC
  • PALS
  • S.T.A.B.L.E.
  • NRP [6]

Bases of operation

Helicopter

Fixed-wing

Ground

Accidents

  • On September 3, 2003, a CareFlite AW109 lost power while taking off from the Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The pilot aborted the takeoff, forcing the aircraft onto its side on the helipad to avoid going over the side of the building. The pilot was injured in the crash.[9][10]
  • On June 2, 2010, a CareFlite 222 was undergoing a post-maintenance flight near Midlothian, Texas, when it broke up in the air. The pilot and the mechanic on board were both killed in the crash. The probable cause was found to be fracture of a swashplate drive pin.[11][12][13]
  • On September 30, 2012, a CareFlite AW109 dispatched on mission entered IFR conditions, shortly thereafter descending from the clouds. The aircraft impacted the ground at a level attitude, skidded and landed on its side. The three crew members were seriously injured.[14][15][16]

Memberships

As with some other air ambulance services, CareFlite offers yearly memberships to cover transport costs not paid by medical insurance. The membership costs are charged per household. This includes helicopter, ground, and most fixed-wing transport costs.

Fixed-wing transport

If insurance deems a fixed-wing transport usage not medically necessary or denies claim, the member is responsible 50% of the charges.[17]

Partnership with Air Methods

CareFlite has membership reciprocity with Air Methods, a large helicopter company which operates many air ambulance programs throughout the United States. This allows members of Air Methods and CareFlite to benefit from their memberships if they require air medical transport in either companies' respective areas of operation.[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gardner, Natalie (November 14, 1997). "CareFlite opens central Grand Prairie office, adds $310,000 in equipment". Fort Worth Business Press.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bringing Health and Hope - CareFlite Texas - Heliweb Magazine". Heliweb Magazine. 2017-02-12. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  3. 1 2 "About CareFlite". careflite.org. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  4. ↑ Wicker, Christine (November 28, 1993). "Never Say Die; CareFlite's air rescue team is accustomed to the heroics. But not the heartbreak". The Dallas Morning News.
  5. ↑ "HeliHub.com CareFlite orders second Bell 429". helihub.com. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  6. 1 2 "Helicopter EMS". careflite.org. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  7. ↑ "N925MM (1980 BEECH C90 owned by CAREFLITE) Aircraft Registration ✈ FlightAware". FlightAware. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  8. ↑ "Job Opening: Rotor Wing Pilot - North Central Texas". careflite.candidatecare.jobs. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  9. ↑ Inc., HCPro. "Disabled helicopter forced to land on Dallas hospital roof - www.hcpro.com". www.hcpro.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ↑ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  11. ↑ "NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on CareFlite Crash". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  12. ↑ "NTSB report in CareFlite helicopter crash near Midlothian to take a week". Dallas News. 2010-06-04. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  13. ↑ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  14. ↑ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  15. ↑ "CareFlite Chopper Makes Hard Landing". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  16. ↑ Garza, Ariana. "UPDATE: CareFlite Helicopter crashes in Eastland County, 3 remain in 'intensive care'". KTXS. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  17. ↑ "CareFlite's Caring-Heart Membership". careflite.org. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  18. ↑ "FliteLines" (PDF). November–December 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
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