STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS BY R. HALLMAN

Life Flight Network, the nation’s largest not-for-profit air medical transport service, will open a new base in Hailey this coming fall.

The base at the Hailey airport will be staffed with a dedicated aircraft and crew. It will increase access to lifesaving critical care and rapid transport for residents and visitors, dramatically shortening the time it takes to get definitive treatment for things like stroke and trauma when every second counts.

The Life Flight Network plans to set up a base at Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey this coming fall.

The flight time from Hailey to Twin Falls will be approximately 30 minutes, said Natalie Hannah, public relations manager for Life Flight Network, which is based near Salem, Ore. The flight takes about 40 minutes to Boise.

"Blaine County is experiencing increasing demand for fast and reliable emergency medical transport," said Dr. Malie Koplin, EMS Medical Director for Blaine County. "Having a dedicated air ambulance based locally will strengthen our response to time-sensitive emergencies and improve patient outcomes." 

Life Flight Network will staff their new base with highly trained pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics and mechanics. Equipped with a state-of-the-art, medically configured Bell 407 GXi helicopter, the flight crew will operate a mobile intensive care unit with the ability to perform a multitude of highly skilled medical functions, including blood transfusions, during transport.

The new base will infuse nearly $2 million in economic impact to the area, creating approximately 15 new jobs.

The Life Flight Network operates in four states in the Pacific Northwest.

"We're humbled by the opportunity to expand our presence in Idaho with a new base in Hailey," said Ben Clayton, Chief Executive Officer at Life Flight Network. "Our vision is to ensure every community has access to lifesaving care. By reducing transport times and delivering ICU-level care from the moment we arrive at a patient's side we can improve survivability and outcomes across south-central Idaho."

The decision to establish a base in Hailey follows close collaboration with local healthcare partners, emergency responders and public officials who identified a need for dedicated air medical resources in the region. Home to a growing year-round population and one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Northwest, the Sun Valley area draws thousands of visitors each year.

The addition of Life Flight Network assets will provide an added layer of security for both residents and visitors, ensuring help is never far away in the event of a critical medical emergency.

"We're thrilled to welcome Life Flight Network to Blaine County," said Angenie McCleary, Chair of the Board of Blaine County Commissioners and Blaine County Ambulance District. "Having a helicopter based here will greatly enhance patient care and improve our medical response capabilities."

Sherriff Morgan Ballis of Blaine County Sheriff's Office said he, too, is excited about what the new partnership means for the community: “Having a critical care air ambulance stationed locally will increase patient access to timely medical intervention, leading to more lives saved."

Life Flight Network is accredited by national and international accrediting bodies for safety, operations, and clinical excellence. The network offers ICU-level care during air and ground transport in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.

Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of world class health systems. It was named the 2021 Program of the Year by the Association for Air Medical Services.

Last year the network added a second Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to its fixed-wing air medical resources in Boise.  That plane is used for long-distance transports and wintry weather conditions that might prohibit helicopters from flying.

For more information or to become a member visit www.lifeflight.org.