November 3, 1984: University Air Care's first call came in to transport young car accident survivors --- one 15 months old, the other 22 months old --- from Clermont Mercy Hospital to Children's Medical Center. The log during Air Care's first month reports an acute myocardial infarction, an aneurysm, multiple traumas and several intra-hospital transports.

While University Air Care still responds to similar types of calls, a lot has changed in the past 15 years. University Air Care, based out of The University Hospital, is the Tristate's only helicopter-based emergency transportation system. Air Care has averaged well over 1,000 emergency flights a year since it began in November 1984. One of its major accomplishments was the addition of a second twin-engine helicopter in 1987. The helicopters can fly over 150 miles per hour and travel more than 280 miles without fueling. University Air Care serves a 150-mile radius area that includes Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. Usually within 5 to 8 minutes of receiving a call for assistance, one of the helicopters is on its way.

About one-third of the helicopter flights are to accident scenes; the remaining flights are to transport critically ill patients from one hospital to another. University Air Care may be called by any recognized medical or public service authority, including hospitals, free-standing clinics, police and fire departments, emergency medical services agencies and industrial safety officials.

Nationally, helicopter-based emergency transportation systems are becoming an integral part of medicine. The concept began back in 1784 with the first balloon flight demonstrations and the idea was put into practice during World War II. It is estimated that more than 1,000,000 wounded military were airlifted by the United States from all theaters of conflict. Following the Vietnam War, where advancements were made in air medical transport, helicopter-based emergency transportation systems began operating in civilian communities.

Who makes up the University Air Care team?

The team consists of two administrative staff, nine flight nurses, six dispatchers, six flight pilots, three helicopter mechanics and 20 flight physicians from the Emergency Residency Program. Air Care is one of only four percent of medical flight programs in the country to fly with a physician and nurse on board at all times.

In 1996, University Air Care team completed an extensive review and as a result received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Air Medical Services (CAAMS), now known as the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). University Air Care was among the first 50 programs to be accredited.