Pasco County signs five-year contract for dedicated helicopter service
The agreement with Med-Trans Corp. requires the company to cover operating costs and pay the county annually.
By Joao Menon ·
Pasco County commissioners approved a five-year contract on Oct. 20 to establish a 24/7 air ambulance program. The deal, which passed unanimously, assigns Med-Trans Corp. the responsibility of providing the aircraft and crew for emergency medical transport within the county.
Under the terms of the agreement, Med-Trans will cover all operating costs. The company will also reimburse the county $712,000 each year, paid in quarterly installments. An additional annual payment of up to $12,000 will cover medical direction. The total value of the initial five-year term is approximately $3.56 million. The contract includes automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides written notice to terminate.
The program will operate under Pasco County Fire Rescue. Med-Trans is responsible for supplying the helicopter, pilots, nursing staff, and maintenance services, as well as handling billing and regulatory compliance. Fire Rescue will provide paramedics, medical equipment, and supplies. The helicopter will be based at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, a facility maintained by the city of Zephyrhills.
County officials stated that current air ambulance response times average 20 minutes and 53 seconds. This figure is based on data from September 2025 to September 2026 and reflects the combined service of providers Aeromed, Bayflite, and Med-Trans. Officials argue that a dedicated county program will reduce this timeframe and ensure patients are transported to the most appropriate hospital.
Commissioners expressed support for the financial structure of the deal. Jack Mariano noted that the partnership does not add to the county budget during a period of cost-cutting. Ron Oakley compared the arrangement to similar partnerships in other communities. Seth Weightman suggested the helicopter could assist neighboring counties when required.
Commissioner Kathryn Starkey described the vote as personal, revealing that her husband suffered a stroke on Oct. 16, four days before the meeting. She reported that an ambulance arrived in approximately 10 minutes, a time within the county's typical 7 to 11 minute range. Starkey expressed gratitude for the speed of the response and the professionalism of the crew.
The agreement includes 10 hours of community education flight time annually. These flights are designated for events such as Prom Promise, where the helicopter lands on a high school football field for safety presentations.
Source: Tampa Bay Newspapers
