First FIREHAWK Hospital Landing

In a groundbreaking move for emergency response in Orange County, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has successfully completed a test landing of its FIREHAWK helicopter at Orange County Global Medical Center, a regional Level II trauma center in Santa Ana.

This milestone marks Orange County Global Medical Center as the first trauma center in the county to receive a Type 1 helicopter—like the OCFA’s FIREHAWK—directly on hospital grounds, eliminating the need for time-consuming ambulance transfers and bringing patients even closer to life-saving care.
The FIREHAWK, a Sikorsky S-70i and a modified version of the military Black Hawk, is a multi-mission helicopter designed for wildland firefighting, search and rescue, and emergency medical transport. With this capability, OCFA is better equipped than ever to reduce transport times for critically injured patients and deliver rapid care in high-stakes situations.

Orange County Global Medical Center’s leadership views this achievement as a key advancement in their ongoing mission to provide cutting-edge trauma care.
This historic test landing highlights the power of collaboration and innovation in public safety and healthcare. Together, OCFA and Orange County Global Medical Center are setting new standards in trauma care, ensuring that when seconds count, patients can get the help they need—faster than ever before.