Life Flight Network, the USA's largest not-for-profit air medical transport service, is to open a new base in Hailey, Idaho. Slated to open this autumn and strategically located to serve Blaine County and its surrounding areas, the new base will increase access to lifesaving critical care and rapid transport for residents and visitors, dramatically shortening time to definitive care when every second counts.

“Blaine County is experiencing increasing demand for fast and reliable emergency medical transport,” according to Dr. Malie Koplin, EMS medical director for Blaine County. “Having a dedicated air ambulance based locally will strengthen our response to time-sensitive emergencies and improve patient outcomes.”

“We're humbled by the opportunity to expand our presence in Idaho with a new base in Hailey,” adds Ben Clayton, chief executive officer at Life Flight Network. “Our vision is to ensure every community has access to lifesaving care. By reducing transport times and delivering ICU-level care from the moment we arrive at a patient's side, we can improve survivability and outcomes across south-central Idaho.”

The decision to establish a base in Hailey follows close collaboration with local healthcare partners, emergency responders and public officials who identified a need for dedicated air medical resources in the region. Home to a growing year-round population and one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Northwest, the Sun Valley area draws thousands of visitors each year. The addition of Life Flight Network assets will provide an added layer of security for both residents and visitors, ensuring help is never far away in the event of a critical medical emergency.

“We're thrilled to welcome Life Flight Network to Blaine County,” states Angenie McCleary, chair of the board of Blaine County Commissioners and Blaine County Ambulance District. “Having a helicopter based here will greatly enhance patient care and improve our medical response capabilities.”

Sheriff Morgan Ballis of Blaine County Sheriff's Office adds: “We are incredibly excited about our partnership with Life Flight Network and what it means for our community. Having a critical care air ambulance stationed locally will increase patient access to timely medical intervention, leading to more lives saved.”

Life Flight Network will staff its new base with highly trained pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics and mechanics. Equipped with a medically configured Bell 407 GXi helicopter, the flight crew will operate a mobile intensive care unit, with the ability to perform a multitude of highly skilled medical functions, including blood transfusions, during transport. The new base, an example of Life Flight Network's investment in the communities it serves, will infuse nearly $2 million in economic impact to the area, creating approximately 15 new jobs.