The newest air ambulance base of Guardian Flight in Itasca County is now in service. Located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the new base will provide emergent air medical services to the town of Grand Rapids and the communities of Itasca County. This is the second Guardian Flight base to open in the Northwoods region. The new helicopter base joins the Guardian Flight fixed wing operation in Grand Rapids, which has been in service since August 2016.

“The addition of a medical helicopter will have a significant impact on residents and visitors to Grand Rapids during times of critical illness or injury,” says air chief operating officer Jared Sherman. “We look forward to working alongside other local first responders and healthcare providers to enhance the delivery of timely medical care to the community.”

The base is staffed by highly trained and experienced pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics and is maintained by on-site aviation maintenance technicians. The Bell 407 GXI helicopter operated at this base is medically configured with the latest avionics and safety features. The base will be operational 12 hours a day for two weeks before transitioning to round-the-clock availability.

Guardian Flight, a part of the Global Medical Response (GMR) family of companies, is a participating provider in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), a large US air medical transport membership programme with more than 320 air medical locations across 38 states. Members have no out-of-pocket costs for the flight only if flown by an AMCN participating provider for a life-or limb-threatening injury or illness. Whatever the member's insurance or third-party insurance pays is considered payment in full.