UC Davis hospital wants to double number of helipads, but concerns grow over potential noise
SACRAMENTO — Air ambulances are often the quickest way for patients in rural areas to get critical medical care.
The UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento currently has two active helipads, and now they want to add two more atop the new 14-story California Tower being built on campus.
"We do expect some growth in helicopter arrivals," said Matt Dulcich, the hospital's director of planning.
The hospital is the only level-one trauma center in the region, treating the most serious emergencies like shootings, burns and pediatric injuries.
"That will really allow our patients who come by helicopter to have a direct elevator ride directly down into the emergency department," Dulcich said.
And for the first time, military medevac copters and Cal Fire's new fleet will be able to land.
"The new helipads will be large enough to accommodate the Firehawk helicopters, where the old ones are not," Dulcich said.
The new heliport will be further away from existing homes, but the additional aircraft noise could cause a headache for some nearby neighbors.
"We'll be focusing on about 100 residences that could be affected," Dulcich said.
What mitigation measures is UC Davis Health taking to limit noise nuisances?
The hospital is offering homeowners up to $35,000 in new acoustical windows, doors, skylights and improved insulation for those living in high-noise zones.
"With each home being different and a different age and different design, we'll have to work carefully with each homeowner to determine what the best upgrades might be," Dulcich said.
The hospital says some of their current facilities date back to the 1920s, and the new helipads and medical tower will help provide state-of-the-art health care for the growing region.
"It will really improve patient access to new, modernized facilities," Dulcich said.
The cost of the new California Tower is $3.7 billion, and it's scheduled to open in 2030.
