WATCH: Health First Launches Second Full-Time Air Ambulance Helicopter at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville

TIME IS LIFE: In a traumatic emergency situation, such as a vehicle crash, a workplace injury, a heart attack or stroke incident, time matters

WATCH: From its new northern operation base at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Health First launched its second full-time air ambulance helicopter ‘First Flight 2 – officially doubling the air ambulance service coverage for Brevard County and northern Indian River County. 

“Time matters. Time is life.” The doubled air ambulance program will provide faster response and emergency care across Brevard County and Northern Indian River County.

BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – From its new northern operation base at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Health First today launched into service its second full-time air ambulance helicopter ‘First Flight 2 – officially doubling the air ambulance service coverage for Brevard County and northern Indian River County. 

The First Flight Air Medical Program now operates two state-of-the-art EC135 helicopters, equipped with critical care interiors tailored for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Interfacility Hospital Transport. Both helicopters are staffed with highly trained professionals – including one pilot and two medical crew members: a Registered Nurse Paramedic (RN Paramedic) and a Critical Care Paramedic.

Health First in December 2024 announced plans to double its air ambulance program in order to meet the growing demands of an expanding Brevard County – including residents, businesses, visitors and daily passers-through. Brevard County has long been named among national “best places” rankings for relocation and retirement, and the county continues to attract record numbers of visitors along with new employers.

With the influx of aerospace and defense employment and one of the nation’s busiest commercial cruise ports, the 10th largest county in Florida is expected to continue its growth and development.

“In a traumatic emergency situation, such as a vehicle crash, a workplace injury, a heart attack or stroke incident, time matters – time is life,” said Tiffany Bassani, Health First Director of Patient Logistics.

“Being able to reach, stabilize, and quickly transport a patient to the nearest medical center gives the patient the very best chance of survival, and this expanded air presence now provides the fastest, most saturated coverage Brevard County has ever had. And with four Health First hospitals in Brevard County – including Cape Canaveral in the north, Viera and our Level II trauma center Holmes Regional in Central Brevard, and Palm Bay Hospital in south Brevard, our strategically placed First Flight presence can quickly reach and transport a patient in less than 30 minutes anywhere in the county.”

With today’s announcement, Health First ramped up its operations – including doubling its flight team – in less than four months.

“Delivering on a promise to our community and in a significant expansion of our capabilities, we’ve now doubled the size of our program – increasing our medical crew from 10 to 21 dedicated professionals. Each team member has undergone specialized training in emergency care and holds advanced certifications, ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care in critical situations,” said Rob Spivey, First Flight Program Manager.

“Both helicopters are equipped with whole blood for immediate emergency administration, enhancing our ability to respond to trauma and other time-sensitive medical conditions,” Spivey continued.

In partnership with Metro Aviation, First Flight benefits from 43 years of expertise in medical aviation operations. Health First and Metro Aviation have been working together for over 33 years, combining efforts to provide seamless and life-saving air medical services.

First Flight now operates out of two strategic bases of operations: one in Melbourne at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport – and the new base addition in Titusville, enabling the air teams to effectively support a wide range of emergencies, including Trauma, Cardiac, Stroke, and other acute medical conditions.

First Flight has served as the primary helicopter ambulance service for Brevard County and northern Indian River County for over 35 years, responding to multiple calls each day. As the number of calls increases, Health First is also doubling its air fleet to meet the anticipated growth of emergency and trauma needs.

Holmes Regional Medical Center is the area’s only Level II Trauma Center. Along with traumatic injuries, including falls, recreational, motor vehicle, and boating accidents, First Flight also transports cardiac and stroke patients for specialized emergent care to the area’s only Joint Commissioned-certified Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center and world-class Heart Center at Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“With four hospitals, including the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, Health First is proud and honored to serve Brevard County and surrounding areas with our First Flight air ambulance program,” said Health First President and CEO Terry Forde in December.

“We know that in a traumatic event – from vehicle or boating accidents to stroke, recreational or work-related injury – more than anything, time matters! The ‘golden hour’ – that ability to quickly respond, treat, and transport patients to lifesaving care – is absolutely critical to the outcome in traumatic situations. As Brevard County continues to grow, our ability to respond and care for our most vulnerable patients will grow with it. I’m excited about embarking on this next step to serve our community needs at the highest level,” Forde continued.

First Flight can transport a patient from the north end of the county as far as Mims to Holmes Regional Medical Center in approximately 25 minutes. Health First also partners with NASA and several private space companies, providing mutual aid support.

First Flight is licensed by the state of Florida to provide a variety of life-saving medical services and community education programs, including:

■ Transportation of adult and pediatric trauma and medical patients
■ Specialized transport of cardiac patients needing intra-aortic balloon pump therapy, Impella and transvenous pacemaker management
■ Specialized transport of high-risk maternity patients
■ Educational programs for community outreach and for other healthcare professionals
■ Injury prevention and safety programs

First Flight has been administering blood products to critical patients since 2002 and in 2022 is the first air ambulance in the region to administer whole blood products

The flight crew, with more than 250 years of combined experience, includes medical personnel with training in emergency and critical care medicine. Each registered nurse is also a state-certified paramedic. All flight crew members hold certifications in critical care or flight nursing, and the pilots all have extensive years of experience – with thousands of hours in completed medical missions.

First Flight’s Medical Directors are both Board Certified in Emergency Medicine.  Dr. Marty Brown is a pilot with extensive EMS background and Dr. Larissa Dudley is a Board-Certified EMS physician, having completed a Fellowship in Emergency Medical Services/Disaster Medicine.

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