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CareFlite is a Texas, nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation governed
by a Board of Directors with representatives from Texas Health
Resources (Harris Methodist, Presbyterian and Arlington Memorial
Hospitals), Methodist Health System, Baylor Health Care System,
Parkland Health and Hospital System, and the JPS Health Network.
CareFlite and its Member Facilities are nonprofit entities
committed to high-quality patient care and community service.
CareFlite is the only, fully-integrated medical transport company
serving North Texas.
CareFlite is the original
and leading provider of air medical transport in the DFW Metroplex,
many have tried to replicate their level of service however were
left in failure.
Established in 1979, CareFlite is the eighth
oldest air medical transportation service in the nation, and the
second oldest in Texas. CareFlite began with one helicopter shared
between Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Harris Methodist Fort
Worth Hospital transporting about 20 patients each month. In 1981,
CareFlite began operating a ground ambulance division in Dallas to
support the helicopters and to provide non-emergency transportation
to patients in area hospitals. Today, CareFlite operates five
helicopter bases throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. All
CareFlite helicopters have two engines for added safety. The Agusta
A109 aircraft are equipped for flight under instrument conditions
(similar to the scheduled airlines). CareFlite has 17 FAA approved
instrument approaches to area hospitals throughout North Texas.
These approaches permit CareFlite to transport critical patients to
the area's trauma centers and other hospitals offering specialized
care during poor weather conditions. CareFlite is the first
non-governmental entity to undertake such a program in Texas.
CareFlite helicopters are based at Methodist Dallas Medical Center,
Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, Frisco Fire Station #4,
Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, and the Granbury Regional Airport.
In addition to its helicopter EMS program, CareFlite also provides
a King Air (fixed wing, twin engine, pressurized, high performance
turboprop) air ambulance. This aircraft which is operated by Flight
Concepts can be used for emergent transports in Texas and Oklahoma,
long haul patient transfers throughout the continental U.S., and is
ideal for transplant programs needing to move patients, organs or
transplant teams without delay. Since its founding, CareFlite has
transported over 71,000 patients by air.
CareFlite also
provides 911 emergency EMS services in Johnson County, portions of
unincorporated Tarrant County and the Celina Fire District in
Collin County. It operates non-emergency ground ambulances and
stretcher/wheelchair vans in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin Counties.
In its last fiscal year, CareFlite transported over 30,000
patients.
CareFlite also offers Specialty Care Transport (SCT)
SCT offers the same high-level of patient care provided on all
CareFlite aircraft, but at a fraction of the cost. This is an ideal
service for a patient who needs an interfacility transport with the
level of medical care provided on board CareFlite aircraft without
the need for speed. SCT is staffed by the same crews who provide
medical care on board CareFlite aircraft (Flight RN and Flight
Paramedic) plus an EMT who drives the vehicle.
s CareFlite
responds to requests from hospitals, fire departments, EMS agencies
and law enforcement within a service area of more than 100 counties
in a 150-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex containing
more than 5.8 million people. Other services include an outstanding
continuing education program that holds an annual continuing
education conference open to first responders and health care
professionals, and a medical service bicycle team for community
events.