Earlier this year the city of Franklin announced a feasibility study to bring a hospital to that Robertson County community. Now the Economic Development Corporation and the city of Hearne have released information that they are not only shopping around the idea of a level IV Trauma Center but one with a heliport next to it. The following is a news release sent out by that city's Economic Development Corporation:

In mid-2009, the Hearne Economic Development Corporation & the City of Hearne created & started shopping around a proposal to bring a Level IV Trauma Center to Hearne. While this proposal to bring a stand-alone ER or an ER without a hospital to Hearne has never been publicly released in its entirety, part of that proposal calls for the permanent creation of a heliport adjacent to a proposed new ER facility in Hearne.

Hearne & Robertson County residents & folks traveling through the county, however, might well have emergency air care needs at any moment. And, a new stand-alone ER in Hearne would likely take a couple of years to build & become operational.

This proposal encourages the temporary placement of a heliport in Hearne solely dedicated for use by emergency services personnel on the already existing concrete slab of the old Hearne Cotton Compress just north of the east/west railroad tracks in Hearne.

A collaborative effort to help respond to the air emergency care needs of Robertson County residents & others, the City of Hearne, Hearne’s 4A & 4B Sales Tax Boards, Hearne Fire & Police Departments, Robertson County EMS, the Robertson County Emergency Services District, & the Robertson County Commissioners Court could easily work together to develop a cost-conscious way to create a designated, enclosed, lighted, & secure helicopter landing area for Robertson County in Hearne for next to nothing in next to no time at all (a matter of weeks).

Such a facility would alleviate the need for helicopter landings in school & grocery store parking lots as well as on the Robertson County Boys & Girls Club grounds, which is an unprotected grassy area in a residential neighborhood. The proposed heliport is on the side of Hearne that is closest & most convenient to Bremond, Calvert, & Franklin. The need for a heliport is particularly acute since there is no emergency room or hospital in Robertson County.

Once complete in early 2010, this facility would be ready to airlift those in Robertson County who are truly in need due to major injuries or illnesses caused by accidents, health conditions, natural disasters, or terrorist activities. This out-of-the-way location, which is very close to combined TX6/US79, is right-on-the-way for the vast majority of RCEMS vehicles in Robertson County that are heading towards Bryan.

Since approaching & departing helicopters could fly down TX6 then cross over the depot parking lot to access this landing site, there would be minimal disruption to commercial & residential areas. Should a major event occur, the large concrete area could easily handle multiple helicopter landings at one time.