Health First’s Second Air Ambulance Makes Immediate Impact With Faster Response Times

First Flight 2 is saving lives and strengthening community-based care

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ─ Originally announced in December 2024, Health First’s newest emergency helicopter based in Titusville became a reality just three short months later on March 24, 2025, as Health First’s First Flight 2 air ambulance officially took to the skies, changing the emergency care landscape in Brevard County.

With the launch of this second air ambulance, Health First has effectively doubled its emergency air transport capabilities, meaning faster response times, dual-scene coverage, and more patients being cared for locally, where their families are close by.

“This is a game-changer, having First Flight 2 in the north end of Brevard, as we have doubled our response,” said Tiffany Bassani, Director of Patient Logistics at Health First.

The sentiment captures what many in Brevard’s emergency response network already know: First Flight 2 is saving lives and strengthening community-based care, from Scottsmoor to Cocoa – and anywhere it’s needed.

In partnership with Metro Aviation and the Space Coast Regional Airport Authority, First Flight 2’s new base was operational within a week.

Rob Spivey, Flight Program Nurse Manager for Health First, emphasized the collaborative effort it took to stand up the Titusville base.

“The entire Health First team came together and got us operational within a week. We work alongside the Space Coast Airport Authority Fire Department — they’ve been phenomenal.”

The rapid launch of the First Flight 2 air ambulance was made possible through a coordinated effort across Health First teams, ensuring the air ambulance could begin serving the community without delay.

With recent shifts in the healthcare landscape, including changes to local hospital availability, having expanded air support in place is helping meet urgent needs across the region. Equipment, supplies, and resources were secured quickly, allowing operations to begin in record time and ensuring residents continue to have access to timely, critical care.

“Families are staying together in their time of need. Before, patients were often taken out of Brevard County for care — now, more can receive treatment close to home. When someone you love is critically ill or injured, being nearby matters. Keeping care local helps keep families together, and that’s what truly makes the difference,” said Spivey.

The ripple effects are powerful. Not only does local treatment keep families close, but it also supports the community’s economy and healthcare infrastructure.

As Brevard County continues to grow — fueled by a booming aerospace sector, expanding defense industries and record-setting activity at Port Canaveral — the need for fast, reliable emergency medical response is more critical than ever.

With more residents, more visitors and more traffic on roadways, having expanded air transport through First Flight 2 ensures lifesaving care keeps pace with the region’s rapid development.

Before First Flight 2, patients on simultaneous calls were often routed out of Brevard. Now, with two helicopters available, Health First is better positioned to respond to multiple emergencies, including multi-casualty incidents (MCIs) and bring patients directly to local hospitals.

First Flight 2 has already responded to dual scene calls and major regional incidents. In a recent mass casualty accident on the turnpike, both Health First helicopters deployed alongside four others.

“We are now better equipped to support MCI incidents and still support the Brevard community,” said Bassani.
“That says a lot for our program to be there for the community,” Spivey reinforced.

First Flight 2’s expanded reach is enhancing interfacility coordination and deepening partnerships across the county. “Our collaboration with Parrish Medical Center continues to grow, and together we’re keeping more patients close to their loved ones — right here in Brevard,” Bassani said.

That kind of integration has been made possible in part by the strong relationships Health First has cultivated with fire departments across the county, particularly in the north.

“In the past few years, Brevard County’s population has grown significantly. With this growth has quite naturally come the associated challenges, such as higher call volumes and a greater number of ill and injured patients who are in need of rapid specialty care,” said James Wilson, Deputy Chief, Fire and Emergency Services, Rockledge Fire and Emergency Services.

“The addition of a second helicopter will mean less time awaiting the arrival of an aircraft and a timelier delivery to that definitive care. First Flight truly represents all of the life-saving power that Health First brings to bear, brought to the most profoundly ill and injured on emergency scenes, becoming an important key to patient survival. As a first responder, there is an enormous sense of relief when you know you’ve turned your patient over to the best our Emergency Medical System has to offer. Highly skilled and trained, compassionate and professional, First Flight is always a welcome addition to our response team on those bad calls. The additional aircraft literally doubles that life-saving capability. As I have said for years now, First Flight is more than just a faster ride to the emergency room – much more,” Wilson continued.

As part of Health First’s not-for-profit mission, First Flight operates as a compassion-led service focused on delivering exceptional care to the community.

While billing remains a necessary part of healthcare, the priority is always on the patient, ensuring that emergency air transport is both high-quality and responsibly managed.

With Health First’s First Flight 2 now fully operational, Brevard County has a powerful new ally in its emergency care network — and a clear demonstration of what’s possible when community health comes first.

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