LIFESTAR is an aeromedical transport service of the University of Tennessee Medical Center

University of Tennessee Medical Center

The University of Tennessee Medical Center is an academic medical center located in Knoxville, Tennessee and serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee and regions in Kentucky and North Carolina. The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine oversees residency and medical student...

 that provides regional rapid transportation of injured patients. LIFESTAR transports approximately 200 patients per month.

Fleet

LIFESTAR's fleet consists of two Bell 430

Bell 430

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 medium twin helicopters, a Bell 206 L4, and a Bell 407. Both Bell 430 helicopters are equipped with all the features of a ground ambulance, with additions of 12 lead EKG's, and chemical blood analysis kits. The helicopters accommodate one FAA certified pilot, one flight paramedic, one flight nurse, and room enough for two patients.

Bases

LIFESTAR operates three bases with its main base is at the UT Medical Center

University of Tennessee Medical Center

The University of Tennessee Medical Center is an academic medical center located in Knoxville, Tennessee and serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee and regions in Kentucky and North Carolina. The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine oversees residency and medical student...

, Knoxville.
Additionally, bases are located in
Sevier County, Tennessee

Sevier County, Tennessee

Sevier County is a county of the state of Tennessee, United States. Its population was 71,170 at the 2000 United States Census. It is included in the Sevierville, Tennessee, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette, TN Combined Statistical Area. The...

 at the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge airport and Monroe County, Tennessee at the Sweetwater Fire and Rescue Station No. 2.
One of the 2 helicopters is always based in Knoxville with the other rotating between the outlying bases.

Activation

Initiation of a LIFESTAR flight may come by way of medical or law enforcement personnel, initiated at either the accident site, or from a referring hospital. Justifications for aeromedical flight may be specialties not available at the referring location, prolonged ground transportation, or adverse road conditions.