Overview

TraumaOne Aeromedical Service

TraumaOne is a state-the-art helicopter ambulance service operated by Shands Jacksonville. Under the leadership of a UF physician and director of the trauma program, TraumaOne is used exclusively to transport severely injured patients and those suffering from strokes, poison exposure or cardiac emergencies. TraumaOne and ShandsCair, the aeromedical service at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville, each transport approximately 1,000 patients per year. Shands recently added another helicopter to its renowned program to serve Lake City and its surrounding counties, offering critical life-saving medical services that are generally not available in smaller communities. It is estimated that this new service could help as many as 500 additional trauma victims each year.

The Aircraft

The TraumaOne helicopters — a BK117 and EC135 — are considered flying intensive care units. Each has the capacity to carry a crew of three and 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, a two-patient N-1 Dauphin, covers the 75-mile radius surrounding Gainesville, but can be used in other locations when necessary.

TraumaOne Team

The TraumaOne air ambulance network is supported by a staff of specially trained medical personnel who operate and supervise the air ambulance service and clinical resources at Shands Jacksonville and Shands at Lake Shore in Lake City. Each TraumaOne flight crew includes a nurse/paramedic, a paramedic and a pilot, who are supported by a mechanic, a dispatcher and the trauma center or emergency room medical teams. The TraumaOne flight crew follows specific written medical protocols for the treatment and transport of trauma patients.

Service Area

TraumaOne 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 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.