Air Methods has commenced a critical emergency air medical service to northern Worcester County in Massachusetts and beyond from a new base located at Fitchburg Municipal airport.

“We value the partnership we've established with Air Methods,” says Fitchburg mayor Stephen DiNatale. “We know in emergency situations, Air Methods' local air medical programme is ready to answer the call and provide the highest level of critical care to our residents and visitors.”

An EC135 has been based at Fitchburg, while the Worcester base has an EC145. The twin engine EC135 can travel up to around 150mph and has a safe 350 miles in distance. It is equipped with medical devices that allow the team to provide advanced airway intervention; cardiac and blood flow monitoring; ventilator management; medication administration and titration (monitoring potential side effects); and other advanced surgical procedures—essentially bringing in-flight emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capabilities directly to the patient’s side. The base offers the community access to critical lifesaving services 24/7/365, and the team also provides critical interfacility transports when patients need to move between hospitals for specialised care.

By establishing a partnership with the City of Fitchburg, Air Methods is positioned to not only improve access to emergency services but improve response times. Additionally, as a community-centered service, this investment positively impacts the local economy.

“In addition to a flying emergency department and ICU, our goal is to invest in the communities we serve by providing an economic footprint that includes rent, fuel, food, hotels and adding numerous full time positions,” says Air Methods' vice president of customer experience Steve Konold.

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all residents and visitors of the communities it serves.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Mayor DiNatale, the airport commission and airport manager Peter Kettle on this lifesaving investment. This strategic location will ensure our ability to help treat and transport critically ill and injured patients when minutes matter most,” adds Konold.

The Fitchburg base is a second joint venture base between Air Methods and UMass Memorial Health System, the first was established at nearby Worcester.