AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Fire Department (PFD) is augmenting its emergency response capabilities in northeast Travis County through a new partnership with Travis County’s Shock Trauma Air Rescue program (STAR Flight).
STAR Flight is an Austin-based program that uses Leonardo AW169 helicopters to respond to traumatic accidents, transport patients in need of specialized care, suppress wildfires and support law enforcement.
According to their mission profile, STAR Flight covers Travis and 19 other surrounding counties. With an average liftoff time of under 10 minutes, the program completed over 1,400 missions in 2023.
The program most recently expanded to Blanco County last year, announcing the construction of a new, more than $4 million dollar facility.
Adult rescued by STAR Flight near Austin’s Pennybacker Bridge
Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said that “having a multi-mission aircraft stationed in the most rural part of our district means quicker medical response, stronger rescue capabilities and additional support during wildfire season. It is a win for both agencies and, most importantly, for the people we serve.”
A need for speed
The partnership marks a major development for rural emergency response in the county…