US air medical transport provider PHI AIr Medical and ambulance service Enterprise Rescue are opening a new air medical helicopter base in Monroeville, joining their existing helicopters in Enterprise and Andalusia. This strategic expansion responds to the rising demand for rapid, life-saving air medical transport across rural regions of Alabama.

The Monroeville base will provide 24/7 air ambulance coverage for the citizens of Monroe and surrounding counties, ensuring immediate lifesaving care is always on-hand in critical emergencies. Each helicopter is equipped with critical care equipment, including blood products for immediate transfusions to stabilise critically injured patients prior to reaching a trauma centre.

Since 2022, PHI AIr Medical and the not-for-profit Enterprise Rescue's operation has been powered by a distinctive collaboration; PHI AIr Medical provides its expert pilots and aviation mechanics, while Enterprise Rescue supplies highly trained clinical crews, including expertise from its long-standing ground service.

Both organisations emphasise the importance of this co-operative programme in providing quality emergency medical services and improving community health to residents of Alabama, regardless of their insurance network affiliations.

“The Monroeville base marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to move communities to health,” says Sam Marshall, programme director, PHI AIr Medical. “By combining aviation excellence with Enterprise Rescue's clinical capabilities, we are poised to save more lives across rural Alabama. For every base opening we take into account the people, the community and the staff. That's why this partnership with Enterprise Rescue is continuing to go from strength-to-strength.”

“From day one, it's been our combined mission with PHI to deliver life-saving measures to those who need it most across south Alabama,” adds Arnold Woodham, chief operations officer, Enterprise Rescue. “We're proud of the reputation we uphold at ERI in providing timely, passionate and expert care, and we're thrilled to continue alongside PHI in this journey now in Monroe County and the surrounding area. From our roots in Coffee County with Air 1 just three years ago, our growth has been incredible thanks to a very large team of personnel, so this extension of our reach into west Alabama is further proof of our mission to continue serving these communities that need it most.”

Enterprise Air 3, is located at the Monroe County airport, thanks in part to a partnership between PHI AIr Medical, ERI and Monroe County officials.