Air Evac Lifeteam to open CRHC base

Local first responders are thrilled with the recent news an emergency air medical helicopter is returning to far southwest Iowa.

Air Evac Lifeteam is increasing its emergency air medical coverage with a new air medical base in Clarinda. The base, scheduled to open in April, will be located on the campus of Clarinda Regional Health Center.

Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce said he is enthusiastic about having an air medical transport located in the immediate area.

“This piece of emergency medical transportation is instrumental in getting the sick/injured individuals to that higher level of emergency medical care when minutes are the difference between life or death,” said Bruce. .

Brandon Buckman, program director for the Air Evac Lifeteam base, said the base will serve residents within a 70-mile radius.

Each crew consists of a nurse, paramedic and pilot. The base brings 15 full-time jobs to the area, including pilots, medical crews, and an aviation maintenance technician.

“Our crews are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide access to a higher level of care for patients who have a life- or limb-threatening medical injury or illness,” Buckman said. “We are excited to work with local EMS agencies, first responders and hospital employees. Our mission is to provide access to a higher level of emergency healthcare.”

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman said the ability of having an air medical helicopter based in Clarinda will continue to provide that extra layer of advanced care when rapid and emergent transport is needed.

“I look forward to working with the new company and see what they have and will be able to offer the first responders, citizens and visitors of Montgomery County,” Hamman said.

The company currently operates 142 air medical bases in 15 states. Air Evac Lifeteam is a participating provider in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), the nation’s largest air medical transport membership program with more than 320 air medical locations across 38 states.

Members flown for a life- or limb-threatening injury or illness by an AMCN participating provider have no out-of-pocket costs for the flight. Whatever the member’s insurance – or third-party insurance – pays is considered payment in full.

“Our EMS group is phenomenal, but the fact is that we’re very rural, and having air transport capabilities is another step in advancing exceptional care,” said Chuck Nordyke, CEO of the CRHC. “Our patients are our neighbors, families and friends, and this helicopter is needed in our community.”

Air Evac Lifeteam is the nation’s leading provider of helicopter air ambulance services. For more information, please visit Lifeteam.net.

In May 2020, LifeNet 2-3 closed its base in Clarinda. It was opened in 2012 and served a 40-mile radius in southwest Iowa.