San Antonio AirLIFE Announces Service to Uvalde
San Antonio AirLIFE, the premier not-for-profit medical helicopter program in South Texas, will begin 24-hour operations in Uvalde on January 27, 2012. AirLIFE, which is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS), will station one Bell 407 helicopter in Uvalde at Garner Field Airport.
AirLIFE is a consortium between the Baptist Health System and the University Health System. AirLIFE, established in January 1991, was the first civilian rotor wing air ambulance service to provide emergency services to South Texas. AirLIFE works in conjunction with EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement Agencies, and Hospitals to provide advanced resuscitative care to critically ill and injured patients. “We are excited to offer 24-7 service to the citizens of Uvalde and the surrounding region,” stated AirLIFE President & CEO, Shawn Salter. AirLIFE has been sending an aircraft to Uvalde several days each week during peak times of request for service for the past seven years.
“This Uvalde based helicopter will provide a life-line for critically ill or injured patients in the region. It is AirLIFE’s mission to provide safe and timely response and to deliver high-quality, state-of-the-art medical care during transport for all patients requiring our service,” Salter said.
San Antonio AirLIFE currently has medical helicopters based in New Braunfels, Kerrville, and San Antonio. The company employs more than 65 individuals, including Flight Nurses, Flight Paramedics, and Communication Specialists. Air Methods Corporation, who operates and maintains the fleet of helicopters on their FAA Part-135 Certificate, has more than 30 pilots and mechanics assigned to the program.
AirLIFE is committed to community service and sponsors activities throughout South Texas which promote safety, illness and injury prevention, as well as increasing awareness of medical resources available to those who need them.
San Antonio AirLIFE is an active member of the trauma preparedness group known as the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) for the Texas Trauma Service Area - P. In addition to serving its own mission, AirLIFE also aids in the transportation of neonatal and pediatric transport teams from University Hospital, North Central Baptist Hospital and Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.
Since its inception in 1991, AirLIFE has transported more than 45,000 patients providing safe transport and advanced medical management to those who were in need.
