Calif. Air Rescue Marks Fifth Year, 1,400 Patient Flights
Oct. 14--The California Shock Trauma Air Rescue, otherwise known as CALSTAR, marks its fifth anniversary this month.
During the five years, flight crews from the Vacaville base have flown about 1,400 patient flights.
About two-thirds of those calls were in direct response to medical calls while the others were to transport patients to other hospitals or facilities offering specialized care.
CALSTAR regional director Ross Fay said the 1,400 flights are not a true reflection of how often the emergency helicopter lifts off.
"About 50 percent of the time, the first responders realize that the injuries are not that serious and we return to base," he said.
The base in Vacaville is one of 10 CALSTAR bases serving a large area from Santa Barbara to Mendocino to South Lake Tahoe.
Copyright 2011 - Times-Herald, Vallejo, Calif.
