[Hancle704]

The determinant about using a helicopter (medevac) is based, I believe on the nature of the injury. Certain types require transport to Level 1 or 2 Trauma centers or Burn Centers. Things like cardiac arrest require transport to closest Emergency Facility. There are exceptions when facilities have no beds available and go on divert. Most injuries involving serious auto accidents, burns and injuries to children require helicopter transport to Centers where trained trauma surgeons are on staff and in-house, and not just on-call. Neithe LRMC or TVRH are trauma centers

First responders are trained to assess the nature of the injury and the mechanism of injury. They stabilize the patient and the crew onboard the helicopter are trained at a higher level than First Responders (Firemen, Police, EMT's and Paramedics). They are in radio contact with the receiving hospital's staff while enroute. We are fortunate in TV to have the superb First Responders in The Public Safety Dept who respond to anything within minutes and access to Medevac for the short flights to Trauma centers. Many lives have been saved and quicker recovery for accident victims has been ithe case since TV added this department. Believe me, it hasn't always been this way.