Help Flight

About The Flight Program

Since 1979, the H.E.L.P. (Helicopter Emergency Lifesaving Program) Flight program has provided air transportation for seriously ill or injured patients. Our flight program was the second hospital based helicopter air ambulance program in Montana and approximately the tenth in the United States. Our service area includes Central Montana, South Central Montana, Northern Wyoming, as well as transports to Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, or to other places like Rochester, MN. Rapid access to a higher level of medical care can save lives and reduce the incidence of disabilities.

In December 2008, our HELP Flight Team was granted full CAMTS accreditation for the next 3 years. The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) is dedicated to improving the quality of patient care and safety of the transport environment for services providing rotorwing, fixed wing and ground transport systems.

Types of Transports

Adult and pediatric patients with medical illness or trauma related injuries transported from hospitals, clinics, and accident scenes.

High risk pregnancies, premature and full term babies in need of specialty care.

Flight Team

The flight team includes Flight Registered Nurses with critical care experience, Flight Paramedics, Flight Respiratory Therapists, Neonatal and Maternal Flight Specialists, and Flight Communications Specialists. The Flight RNs and Paramedics are specially trained in critical and emergency pre-hospital care and provide transport care which is coordinated under the direction of an emergency department physician at St. Vincent Healthcare.

The Aircraft

The St. Vincent Healthcare air medical program includes both a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter, which respond to an emergency call as soon as it is received. The fixed-wing aircraft transports patients throughout the country. The fixed-wing is operated by Edwards Jet Center.

The Rural Registry Program

For residents of farms, ranches and other rural areas, HELP Flight offers a Rural Registry (PDF)* at no charge. Individuals may pre-register their names, addresses and directions to their residences, which saves precious minutes should they ever require rapid air transport services.