Celebrating EMS Week 2017
“EMS is most easily recognized when emergency vehicles or helicopters are seen responding to emergency incidents. But EMS is much more than a ride to the hospital. It is a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care, involving multiple people and agencies. A comprehensive EMS system is ready every day for every kind of emergency.” – https://www.ems.gov/
This year, EMS Week is celebrated from May 21 to 27, using the theme of EMS Strong: Always in Service. We look back on our special stories of heroism from past patients and the University of Florida Health ShandsCair team.
ShandsCair welcomes the arrival of the largest, fastest, most-advanced civilian aeromedicine in the Southeast. Photo by Jesse Jones
ShandsCair celebrated 35 years of life-saving missions last December. Savannah’s story, Jerry’s story and Micah’s story tell of the intensive care provided en route by the ShandsCair flight team.
From our ShandsCair 35th anniversary event in December on the hangar. Photo by Jesse Jones
Fast facts about ShandsCair:
1. The ShandsCair EC-155 helicopter typically transports patients from pre-hospital scenes within a 75-mile radius. 2. Community hospital emergency rooms and ICU’s up to a 185-mile radius are also serviced by helicopter. 3. Care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 4. ShandsCair bases are located in Gainesville, Florida; Summerfield, Florida; Perry, Florida; and Panama City, Florida. 5. The program includes four helicopters, a fixed-wing jet, two medical discharge vans and six ground ambulances.
From our Caring for Critical Kids Conference. Photo by Jesse Jones
ShandsCair welcomes arrival of EC-155. Photo by Jesse Jones
We salute our ShandsCair team for their outstanding dedication and service to the region – saving more than 72,000 lives in the past 35 years.
To learn more about EMS at UF Health, visit their Facebook page or http://shandscair.ufhealth.org/.