AUSTIN -- The Travis County Commissioners Court is recognizing STAR Flight and the firefighters of Emergency Services District 1 (ESD 1), saying Tuesday that STAR Flight saved the lives of two firefighters who were battling the flames of a large-scale wildfire on Wednesday.
During a court briefing, ESD 1 Chief Donnie Norman described the situation during last week's wildfire, where two ESD 1 firefighters became surrounded by flames and were led to safety by STAR Flight.
“Commissioner, they were probably within three minutes of losing their lives, maybe four minutes,” Chief Norman said. “They had went down to attack the fire, the fire flanked them, they lost their road, had no water, no visibility, they were unable to breathe.”
The fire consumed several acres in northwest Travis County, and multiple agencies were dispatched to battle the flames. According to the Commissioners Court, STAR Flight was able to communicate with two brush trucks on the ground carrying four firefighters and direct them to the two firefighters in distress.
"And the very nature of the rotors on the helicopter dissipated some of the smoke, it wasn’t designed to do that, but I guess God was with us that day,” Norman said.
As of Tuesday, the Commissioners Court said all firefighters involved are back on duty, recovering with colleagues and preparing for the next emergency.
“Last week’s wildfire efforts were the perfect example of good coordination between partners and government entities,” said Casey Ping, director of STAR Flight. “As always, STAR Flight will be there to help save lives and make sure our region stays safe.”