AURORA, Ore., Jan. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Life Flight Network (LFN), the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States, announced it will be opening a base at the Burley Municipal Airport (Burley, ID). The base is scheduled to begin 24/7 operation March 20, 2015. In conjunction with the new helicopter base opening in Rexburg, Idaho (announced January 2), the helicopter base in Burley will significantly improve access to air medical resources in Idaho.
Cassia Regional Medical Center (Burley, ID) and Minidoka Memorial Hospital (Rupert, ID) will directly benefit from having an emergency medical helicopter just moments away. Other surrounding communities, such as Twin Falls, Gooding, Jerome, American Falls, and Malad, will also benefit from having an additional air medical resource available.
"We support LFN in their efforts to establish an air ambulance service in the Mini-Cassia area," states Carl Hanson, Minidoka Hospital Administrator. He adds, "Identifying patients needing a higher level of care and getting them transferred promptly is a high priority, especially for time sensitive emergencies such as heart attacks and multiple trauma."
Rod Barton, Administrator of Cassia Regional Medical Center said, "We support Life Flight Network as they work to establish a medical helicopter service in the Mini-Cassia area." He adds, "For emergencies such as a heart attack, trauma, or stroke, a local helicopter service will greatly reduce the time it takes for a patient to get to the appropriate hospital for life-saving care. This is especially critical in the large rural area that we serve when patient transport times can mean the difference between life and death."
"A helicopter ambulance service in our immediate area would be an improvement in emergency care and could reduce transport times by at least 15 to 20 minutes," states Dr. Jeff Swensen, the head of the Minidoka Memorial Emergency Department.
"Life Flight Network has been providing emergency air medical transportation in Idaho for many years. We are pleased to announce the new helicopter base in Burley," states Mike Weimer, Regional Director for LFN. "The Agusta helicopter based in Burley is a fast and capable helicopter. It can make the trip from Burley to Pocatello in about 24 minutes."
For a nominal annual fee, LFN offers a membership. Members incur no out-of-pocket expense if flown for medically necessary emergent conditions. Membership also helps support operations in locations where there is a need for air medical transportation, such as Burley. To request more information about the membership program, or if organizations would like an in-person presentation, please contact the LFN membership office at 800-982-9299.
About Life Flight Network:
Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). Life Flight Network has administrative offices in Aurora, Oregon and is owned by a consortium of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and Providence Health System-Oregon. Rotor-wing services are provided by TriState CareFlight and Life Flight Network. Fixed-wing services are provided by Life Flight Network, AvCenter, and Conyan Aviation. For more information about Life Flight Network or to become a member, visit www.lifeflight.org.