New STAR Flight base to boost response times in Travis County

Emergency response times in northeast Travis County are expected to improve due to a new partnership between Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2, also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department, and Travis County STAR Flight—the county’s Shock Trauma Air Rescue program.

STAR Flight helibase is now operating part time out of Fire Station 9 in Coupland. This gives crews a new base to cover the growing northeast corridor of Travis County.

About the project

Fire Chief Nick Perkins said the collaboration came together quickly after discussions with STAR Flight, which was seeking a more eastern base of operations. Station 9 sits on a 10-acre site the district purchased several years ago for future expansion.

Perkins highlighted the station’s strategic location due to rapid growth, heavy traffic near the new Samsung site and its rural position, enabling quicker medical response, stronger rescue and wildfire support.

“Once you get past Cameron Road, response times can stretch 10-15 minutes by ground,” Perkins said. “STAR Flight can be there within minutes.”

While the station isn’t yet operating 24/7, crews are positioned there during the day—STAR Flight’s busiest hours—with plans to expand operations as infrastructure improvements continue. Those include fencing, additional lighting and a potential hangar to support overnight readiness.