REACH Air Medical Services (REACH), part of Global Medical Response, has opened a new emergency air medical transport base in Salton City, California. The base will provide air medical transport services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the communities of Imperial County and the surrounding regions. This is the third community-based air medical operation in the county for REACH.

“We are incredibly proud to bring a needed air medical asset to the community of Salton City and the surrounding regions,” says Vicky Spediacci, air COO for Global Medical Response, West Group. “We look forward to strengthening our connections and providing additional support to our regional partners in care through the opening of this base.”

“We are happy to hear of the opening of this new REACH Air Medical Services base in Imperial County,” adds Ken Herbert, fire chief for El Centro Fire Department. “The new air ambulance base will help service the residents and visitors of El Centro. REACH's willingness to improve the overall system capacity and supporting our EMS system will undoubtedly improve patient outcomes. We rest assured that our residents are continued to be served and cared for by highly trained and experienced flight crews from REACH.”

The Salton City base is staffed by highly trained and experienced pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics, and is maintained by on-site aircraft maintenance technicians. The Airbus H125 operated at this base is medically configured with the latest avionics and safety features. REACH operates throughout Imperial County with additional air medical bases located in the cities of Imperial and Brawley. The proximity of these bases allows for additional air transport coverage in the community when an asset is already in service on another call.

“We are pleased that REACH Air Medical Services is opening up a third full-time emergency air medical base in Salton City,” comments Chris Herring, Imperial County emergency medical services manager. “For years, Salton City has been served from locations outside the city, but REACH's commitment to Salton City goes along with its dedication to Imperial County as a whole. REACH's commitment brings innovation and life-saving measures to ensure the citizens of Imperial County are served with world-class service and care. We look forward to continuing to work with REACH Air Medical Services.”

REACH is a participating provider in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), the largest air medical transport membership programme in the US 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.