(O’FALLON, Mo.) — Officials with O’Fallon, Missouri-based Air Evac Lifeteam have announced they are increasing their  emergency air medical coverage in Iowa, by adding a new air medical base in Clarinda. The base, scheduled to open in April, will be located on the campus of Clarinda Regional Health Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Page County. Chuck Nordyke, CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center, said he is excited to welcome Air Evac Lifeteam to the community. “Our EMS group is phenomenal, but the fact is that we’re very rural, and having air transport capabilities is another step in advancing exceptional care,” he said. “Our patients are our neighbors, families and friends, and this helicopter is needed in our community.”

CRHC had been without a medical helicopter on the pad since May, 2020, when officials with LifeNet pulled the LifeNet 2/3 Helicopter because reimbursement models for Medicare were not sustainable for continued operations at CRHC. LifeNet began operations at its Clarinda base in 2012 as part of an agreement between CRHC and Air Methods.

Brandon Buckman, program director for the Air Evac Lifeteam base, said the base will serve residents within a 70-mile radius. Each crew consists of a nurse, paramedic and pilot. The base brings 15 full-time jobs to the area, including pilots, medical crews, and an aviation maintenance technician. “Our crews are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide access to a higher level of care for patients who have a life- or limb-threatening medical injury or illness,” Buckman said. “We are excited to work with local EMS agencies, first responders and hospital employees. Our mission is to provide access to a higher level of emergency healthcare.”

The company currently operates 142 air medical bases in 15 states. Air Evac Lifeteam is a participating provider in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), the nation’s largest air medical transport membership program 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. Whatever the member’s insurance – or third-party insurance – pays is considered payment in full. Annual household memberships start at $85.