PHOTO/WWW.AIRMETHODS.COM
Air Idaho Rescue has just announced a partnership with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to open its newest base right here in Idaho Falls. The base will provide air medical services to Bonneville, Bingham, Jefferson, Butte, Madison, Caribou, Bannock, and Fremont counties, as well as the surrounding areas.
Officials from EIRMC, a Level II Trauma Center, recognized the growing need for an air medical service to serve the area (particularly babies in need), more rapidly and determined the need for the new base. At a time when more than 85 million Americans live more than an hour’s drive from Level I or II trauma centers, there is an increasing demand for air medical services to ensure that patients have access to necessary care centers.
“Having access to air medical services is incredibly important to our community, and is a key initiative for our organization,” said David Hoffenberg, Chief Operating Officer at EIRMC. “As the largest medical facility in the region and the region’s healthcare hub, we serve many rural areas that require air medical services to address emergencies and save lives. Serving Southeast Idaho, western Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park and parts of Montana, our partnership with Air Idaho Rescue is an integral element to the care we provide to both residents and tourists.”
The base will be staffed by more than 16 crew members, including pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics and mechanics.
Air Methods will move its Air Idaho Rescue Air 5 A Star aircraft from Soda Springs, Idaho to Idaho Falls. Air Methods will continue to cover the Caribou County service area with this and other Air Idaho Rescue air medical rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft.