[4] Flight For Life began in 1972 with a single Alouette III helicopter, based at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
The idea was generated from St. Anthony administrator E. V. Kuhlman, who wanted to improve medical transport of patients from the mountains and rural areas.
The Flight For Life organization comprises many teams, made up of Nurses, Paramedics, EMT-Bs, Respiratory therapists, Pilots, and Mechanics.
This includes the placement and monitoring of chest-tubes, certain surgical procedures, an aortic balloon-pump and all of the acts allowed by EMTs and Paramedics.
All helicopter operations are under “visual flight rules” (VFR), so weather factors will significantly affect a pilot's decision.
Chosen for its high altitude capability and economy of operation, the AStar is a perfect fit for Colorado's mountain communities and terrain.
Ground transport is performed roughly within a two-hour drive radius of Denver; Cheyenne to the north, Limon to the east, Pueblo to the south, and Vail to the west.
Terra Two, is a CCT ambulance based at Summit Medical Center in Frisco, and is in service when Lifeguard Two is grounded by weather, and at night.
Terra Two is operated in partnership with Summit County Ambulance, which provides the EMT and a paramedic to assist with patient care.
The Newborn/Young Child Team travels via its own dedicated CCT ambulance, (Terra Three), and fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopter, twenty-four hours a day.
When circumstances demand, the helicopter may be used to transport the Newborn/Young Child Team to a referring facility to attend a pending delivery or provide emergency assistance, while the ground ambulance proceeds toward that location for the trip back.
Weather conditions may prevent a helicopter from reaching the scene or referring facility, or a mass casualty incident may tax all other resources.