10/22/2026
In Teton County, getting emergency care to a patient isn't always as simple as driving to the scene. In remote areas, an air medical helicopter may be able to reach a patient before ground responders can, making coordination between teams especially important.
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS recently trained alongside Air Idaho Rescue to strengthen that coordination and build a better understanding of how ground and air medical teams can work together when every minute matters.
Did you know? The AStar helicopter, used by Air Idaho Rescue in this training, can shut down completely in about 30 seconds and restart in roughly the same time. This unique capability means the aircraft doesn't have to keep running while ground crews load a patient, without adding a lengthy restart process before takeoff.
An air medical helicopter is more than transportation. It's essentially an ICU in the sky. Flight nurses and medics bring advanced medical skills, specialized equipment, medications, and whole blood to provide critical care during transport.
The training covered when and how to request a flight, communicating important patient information during handoffs, setting up a safe landing zone, and transferring patients from ground apparatus to the helicopter. Each step takes communication and coordination; practicing together helps teams work through those details before they're facing an emergency.
Thank you to Air Idaho Rescue for sharing their knowledge and expertise! We appreciate the time they took to work alongside our responders and help us better understand how our teams can support one another. When a patient is waiting for care, that preparation can make all the difference.
