When the first call came in to ThedaStar on June 6, 1986, I am sure the process of a helicopter response and information gathering was totally different than the process today. Think for a minute … you have a motor vehicle crash and need to pinpoint coordinates for a scene. This was accomplished the only way they were able to: with an aviation chart map. There were no advanced computer systems to find this information, like today. You would log the call by hand, writing the information in a logbook.
Fast-forward to 2016 — we are in our 30th year of service. Today we operate out of a state-of-the-art, newly designed space. We utilize advanced weather monitoring, digital communication tools with the aircraft and crew, and a computer-based system for all aspects of call management. Our Communications Center is staffed 24/7/365 by trained and certified flight communicators.
We are very proud of our service to you and our patients over the past 30 years, and we are excited for this milestone. It not only speaks volumes to the commitment of ThedaCare, but also our staff. We were one of the first helicopter programs in Wisconsin and are excited to continue to provide the best care in the air.
By Brian Koch, RN, CCEMT-P, Certified Flight Communicator
