MedSTAR was placed into service in October 1989.  The first aircraft was a BO 105 and was staffed 24 hours a day with a pilot, nurse and paramedic.  The program quickly outgrew that aircraft and in 1991 a new BK 117 B1 model was outfitted for EMS service.  Since that time, we have grown to include a second aircraft which is a BK 117 A3 model.   

In June 1998, MedSTAR II was placed into service in Blair County.  The aircraft was based at Bon Secours Holy Family Hospital 12 hours a day.  The coverage was changed to 24 hours a day in the spring of 2000.  In early 2001, MedSTAR I was moved to Somerset County to create a more rapid response for our referrals. 

In November 2004, MedSTAR II was relocated to Miners Medical Center in Hastings, Cambria County. The move has allowed us to provide a more rapid response in the Northern part of our coverage area.

Our communication center is operated by the Cambria County 911 Center.  To our knowledge MedSTAR is the only air medical transport service in the US that utilizes a county 911 center for communications and dispatching of an aircraft.  MedSTAR is the transport service for Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, the only Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center between Hershey and Pittsburgh.  

                    Dispatch console at Cambria County 911.