Early Monday morning, January 12, around 7:30 a.m., this helicopter landed at the Henderson helipad, awaiting a patient needing transport from the Henderson Hospital –HeartlandBeat photo
Life-flighting patients via an air ambulance helicopter rather than by ground is another choice of transportation for emergency-type situations like heart attacks, strokes, and trauma injuries in rural locations like Henderson. It’s not unusual for Henderson Health Care Services to use an air ambulance to transport these cases.
There are many factors that go into HHCS’s decision to choose air or ground transport, based on the situation, weather, and availability, according to Chief Nursing Officer Shelly Amack. “We utilize Avel dCare Emergency when we face an emergency situation. They are a telehealth company we can quickly contact to help us interpret which services are needed. They coordinate the transportation availability so we can focus on the patient,” said Amack.
Around 7:30 on Monday morning, the familiar, loud whirring noise of a helicopter preparing to land on the helipad just south of town, next to the City’s lift station, could be heard, followed by ambulance sirens in town.
Normally, Henderson Fire & Rescue receives a call from York County Dispatch, originating at Henderson Hospital, about a half hour to an hour before the air ambulance’s arrival, so they can make their preparations. “But today was different,” said Henderson Fireman David May, who took the call.
“This morning we only had about a ten-minute notice, so the helicopter was here before we were able to get to the helipad,” said May.
Henderson Fire & Rescue plays an integral role in handling one of these life flights. One of the first jobs is to secure the street with a couple of their emergency vehicles at the helipad site and at the south end of South Main Street, according to May.
“This morning, we only had time to get one firetruck at the south end. We usually call on Henderson Police Chief Prusia to monitor the helipad site as well, but it’s not as crucial during the day; it is at night.” They do this to ensure no traffic impedes the rescue unit’s arrival and departure to and from the hospital.
On Monday morning, the air ambulance helicopter that arrived was from StarCare, based in Crete. Their helicopters include a medical team consisting of a registered nurse and a flight paramedic, both with experience in advanced cardiac, burn, pediatric, and trauma care. One of the many factors in determining which ambulance service to use is the availability of specialized crews and ambulances, whether it’s air or ground, according to Amack.
David May and EMT Luke Haidle handled the call on Monday and arrived at the helipad site in the rescue unit to take the crew to the Henderson hospital, where they would handle all the details for the patient they would be transporting.
“We basically assist and provide manpower for transporting the crew and patient back and forth. It can sometimes take two to three hours from start to finish with these calls. Today was a pretty quick turnaround,” said May. The helicopter took off around 8:30 a.m., just about an hour after its arrival. Click on this link on X to watch the air ambulance helicopter take off with a patient and head east on Monday morning.
Finding a hospital to take the patient, preparing the patient for transport, and sometimes refueling make the process longer. “If the helicopter comes from further away, like Omaha, they often have to leave after we pick up the crew to refuel in York and come back while we are at the hospital,” said May.
Give a big thank-you to any Henderson Fire Department, Henderson Police Dept., and EMT volunteers for their assistance whenever needed!
