Medical Helicopter Services to the Elk Coast.

Helicopters provide a vital link to the area's hospitals as well as specialty hospitals out of the area such as trauma, stroke, and burn centers. Medical helicopters are provided by two companies, CALSTAR and REACH. The CALSTAR helicopters are based in Ukiah while the REACH helicopter is based in Santa Rosa. These helicopters can be used for rescue as well as medical emergencies in easily accessible areas. Capable of flying day or night they are staffed with Paramedics and Flight Nurses providing ALS care. These helicopters can handle multiple patients and are equipped with the latest modern equipment.

This resident of the Elk Coast was experiencing chest pains while at work. Cardiac emergencies require very rapid access to hospital care and modern clot busting drugs. The Elk soccer field, shown here, is often used as a landing zone. The quick emergency care and transport by Elk Fire and CALSTAR resulted in a very positive outcome for this patient.

This 7 year old young lady was visiting the Elk Coast with her family. She was playing in a tree and fell breaking her femur, a very painful and potentially life threatening injury. The CALSTAR helicopter was dispatched as well as the Redwood Coast Fire Department and the Elk Ambulance. Here Redwood Coast EMT's and CALSTAR Paramedics carry their patient out to the Landing Zone.

Finding a Landing Zone for helicopters can be challenging. The many fields along Highway One are ideal. Many are preplotted by GPS for easy navigation. The patient is loaded into the rear of the helicopter. This smaller of the CALSTAR helicopters has a crew of three and can carry two patients. It is a flying mobile hospital fully equiped with ALS medical equipment.

The helicopter lifts off for Ukiah Valley Medical Center, a 13 minute trip. The alternative for this patient would have been a 45 minute trip in the Elk Ambulance to Mendocino Coast District Hospital in Fort Bragg where ALS care can be given and medications are available.

The dedicated group of professionals at CALSTAR provide a quick 13 minute response time to the Elk Coast. Based in Ukiah, Advanced Life Support service is automatically dispatched on critical calls.

The newest helicopter at CALSTAR 4 is a model 222.

This Page Has Been Referenced Times Since Aug. 20, 2000.