Calling it "one of the best [helicopter programs] in the world," Metro Councilman Buck Dozier introduced legislation honoring Vanderbilt LifeFlight for their 20 years of service to Middle Tennessee.
The Council unanimously approved the resolution.
Dozier, who served as Metro’s fire chief for six years, said it was always a relief to see the Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter arriving on the scene of an emergency.
"When we call you, we’re in trouble," he said. "The men and woman at LifeFlight are just exceptional."
Dozier said he had the privilege of flying with LifeFlight and was impressed with the operations.
"It’s one of the best in the world," he said.
LifeFlight Director Jeanne Yeatman, Nurse Kevin High, Communications Manager Jeff Gray and Flight Coordinator Robert Earl Brooks were present to accept the resolution on behalf of the LifeFlight staff.
When LifeFlight began 20 years ago, the program consisted of one helicopter and ten flight nurses. It now has four helicopters, a fixed wing flight program and some 50 flight nurses, and has safely completed more than 20,000 flights. The Medical Center recently purchased three state-of-the-art helicopters at a cost of $5.4 million each.
John A. Morris, M.D., professor of Surgery and director of the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, serves as the medical director of LifeFlight.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2004-388
A resolution recognizing Vanderbilt LifeFlight on their 20th anniversary of providing service to Nashville and the surrounding areas.
WHEREAS, the Vanderbilt LifeFlight program began in June 1984, with a Bell 206 Long Range helicopter and initiated operations on July 5, 1984; and
WHEREAS, the Vanderbilt LifeFlight, is the critical care air medical transport service of Vanderbilt University that supports the Level 1 Trauma Center at Vanderbilt; and
WHEREAS, the LifeFlight program provides the highest level of care possible in the safest manner to the people of our service area and also strives to provide quality education to our colleagues in the emergency services field; and
WHEREAS, Vanderbilt LifeFlight averages more than 2,000 flights per year serving an area within a 150-mile radius of Nashville and utilizes a dual critical care nurse-emergency medical technician care team; and
WHEREAS, today LifeFlight has expanded to a four-helicopter system with bases in
, Clarksville, Mt. Pleasant, and Shelbyville, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, LifeFlight initiates the Pre-Designated Emergency Landing Area program which assists local EMS services in identifying safe and efficient landing areas for LifeFlight, has hosted the international conference of the Association of Air Medical Services and LifeFlight has received the MBB Aeromedical Safety Award; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the commitment, dedication, and valuable service of the men and women who make the LifeFlight program a success.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council herby goes on record as recognizing Vanderbilt LifeFlight on their 20th anniversary of providing service to Nashville and surrounding areas.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Vanderbilt LifeFlight.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Presented this day July 20, 2004, and signed under my hand.
Buck Dozier, Councilman At-Large
Howard C. Gentry, Jr., Vice Mayor