MedFlight, the region’s long-standing non-profit air and ground medical transportation service, is pleased to announce plans to base a medical helicopter in Fayette County.

MedFlight and the Fayette County Commissioners have come to an agreement to locate MedFlight 9 on Highway 435 near I-71, just south of the Tanger Outlet Mall. According to Tony Anderson, Chairman of the Fayette County Commissioners, “We have been working with MedFlight for several months to develop a MedFlight base in Fayette County. Commissioners and business leaders are very excited to enter into a partnership with MedFlight for the emergency services for our residents.” Anderson went on to say, “In addition to saving lives, MedFlight will be the anchor business for our future Mega Business Development site south of the outlet mall. “

Rod Crane, President and CEO of MedFlight stated “When we researched areas of Ohio that were underserved with life- saving medical helicopter teams we identified Fayette County as a service opportunity for MedFlight. The new base will help to improve the outcomes of those who experience traumatic injury in farm and auto accidents and for critically ill patients.” Crane also noted that “Three things must come together for MedFlight to successfully locate and staff a helicopter base. They are regional need, ease of access, and good partnerships with the community. I am also very pleased with the partnership we have developed with Lyndon Christman, President and CEO of Fayette County Memorial Hospital. In addition, other commissioners including Jack DeWeese and Dan Dean have also worked to serve the county by encouraging us to place our next helicopter base in Fayette County.”

The helicopter base is expected to be operational in December 2013, until then, MedFlight will continue to serve the air medical needs of Fayette County with aircraft from Fairfield County, Jackson County, Union County and Scioto County. MedFlight operates 7 aircraft and has a partnership with HealthNet of West Virginia to share an 8th helicopter located near Lucasville, OH. MedFlight is a medical transportation consortium whose member owners include The Wexner Center at The Ohio State University and OhioHealth in Columbus, with member Akron General Medical Center. MedFlight has 3 critical care Mobil ICU ground ambulances serving Ohio residents. MedFlight also is a partner-owner of MedCare Ambulance, a joint partnership with Community EMS of Southfield, MI. MedCare now operates 50 ambulances in numerous counties in Ohio. Combined services will reach nearly 50,000 patients being transported in 2013.

MedFlight’s helicopter crew consists of a registered nurse, paramedic and pilot, averaging approximately nine years of air medical critical care experience. Crew members are specially trained in caring for patients directly from the scene of an accident and for critical care hospital-to-hospital transports. The Fayette County helicopter is also equipped with the latest NTSB recommended safety and performance equipment for the safety of the crew and patient during air transport.

[File photo from MedFlight – the press release does not state which helicopter type will become MedFlight 9]