Traumahawk of Palm Beach County (Air Ambulance)

The Traumahawks of Palm Beach County, FL are two identical 1999 Sikorsky S76-C+. They are used as Air Ambulances for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Paramedics will decide whether or not a Traumahawk is necessary in a situation.

On average, a Traumahawk is dispatched between 1 and 2 times a day for traumatic injuries, including those from vehicle accidents to sports injuries.

History
Prior to 1990, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department helicopters were used for air transport of critically ill and injured patients to area hospitals. With Palm Beach County's population rapidly growing, it was evident that a formal countywide Trauma System was necessary.

In November 1990, the Trauma Hawk Aero-Medical Transport Program was established. The mission of the Trauma Hawk Aero-Medical Program is to save lives and reduce injury mortality through rapid transport of patients to specialized health care facilities such as; trauma, burn, spinal cord and pediatric hospitals.

Today, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, through a unique partnership with the Health Care District, operates two air ambulances in Palm Beach County. The two Sikorsky S76-C+ Trauma Hawk air ambulances are identically equipped helicopters that can carry two patients each and up to four medical attendants if needed. The aircraft are available to respond and provide services to all municipalities throughout Palm Beach County, FL.

Crew Assignments
Each helicopter is staffed with one pilot, one Registered Nurse (RN) and one Paramedic. The RN's and paramedics are Palm Beach County Fire Rescue employees. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue maintains the Advance Life Support Transport License issued by the State of Florida. The pilots are Health Care District (HCD) employees.

General Information
The two Traumahawks are hangared at Palm Beach Int'l Airport in West Palm Beach, FL. They are located at the South-East corner of the airport, next to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office hanger.