STATCARE responds to Hurricane Katrina
'This is something we have prepared for our whole lives'

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection / STATCARE

The STATCARE flight crew held a moment of prayer prior to their departure to hurricane ravaged Louisiana where they will assist with rescue and relief efforts.

LOUISVILLE — STATCARE deployed one helicopter and two medical crews, along with two EMS pilots and a mechanic, to Louisiana Sunday to help support the ongoing Hurricane Katrina rescue mission in Louisiana.

"This is something we have prepared for our whole lives," said Jodie Hignite, STATCARE's executive director and flight nurse, to a crowd of television reporters at their Bowman Field headquarters in Louisville.

STATCARE Flight Nurse Walt Middleton loaded the Dauphin helicopter with additional medical supplies prior to departure.

"We were asked by FEMA to respond to help with transportation of critical patients. This will not affect our ability to continue to serve our local area and we will continue to provide three helicopters and the most experienced air ambulance in the region." Hignite said.

STATCARE board chairman Dr. Frank Miller has offered the board's complete support, along with other resources. STATCARE is a comprehensive air medical transport service supported by the partnership of Jewish Hospital HealthCare Service, Norton Healthcare, and University of Louisville Health Care.

Accompanying the helicopter are pilots Richard Larson and Mac Reynolds, Flight Nurse Walt Middleton, and Flight Paramedic Lance Vincent. Earlier, Flight Nurse Greg Howell and mechanic David Pace drove to Lafayette, Louisiana, to meet up with the helicopter crew at their temporary base. Two of the flight nurses are also paramedics. Additional crew members are lined up for relief.

STATCARE Flight Nurse Ted Fizer left for Louisiana Friday with a Pikeville Medical Center deployment.

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