Native Air Expands Air Medical Services in Northern Arizona

Providing decades of service throughout the state of Arizona, Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the United States, has announced a new Native Air emergency medical service located in Williams. Native Air 22 is designed to better serve residents and visitors of Coconino and Yavapai Counties and beyond.

The Native Air team is positioned to provide the highest quality critical care whenever called upon, according to a news release.  “Native Air 22 expands lifesaving care in the region, joining the existing aircraft bases Native Air 4, 14 and 83, which respond to Yavapai and Coconino counties.”
Native Air offers critical care every day, around the clock, responding to emergency medical calls for trauma events, including heart attacks and strokes, pediatric emergencies, burns, auto accidents and other incidents. Additionally, the team provides critical interfacility transports when patients need to move between hospitals for specialized care.

“Known for its destination points and tourism drawing millions of visitors every year, Northern Arizona’s offerings of outdoor activities and adventures are limitless,” said Account Executive Jeannette Hovey. “In a heartbeat, however, an unexpected health event or accident can turn into someone’s worst day. No matter the day, with a 360-degree service area, Native Air stands ready to serve wherever or whenever we are needed.”

Native Air 22 is equipped with a Bell 407 helicopter. The aircraft and crew are skilled in high-altitude flight, positioned for mountainous terrain and rural scene calls. Additionally, the Native Air crew achieved the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and carries the critical tools, medications and supplies needed to provide intensive care unit-level care while in flight. The crew is ready to serve when called upon by emergency dispatch. That number is 800-642-7828.

Equipped with industry-leading equipment and medical devices, Native Air 4 and 14 (established bases in Prescott and Prescott Valley) carry and have the ability to administer blood and blood products (i.e., plasma) to scene calls and in flight during every patient transport that may require the lifesaving procedure. Obtaining approval to carry and administer blood in flight is a rigorous and timely process. For perspective, four months into service, Native Air 83 in Cottonwood expects to obtain approval to carry and administer blood products by the end of this month. Now open, Native Air 22 plans to have blood in flight by late summer.

“Where seconds make all the difference in saving a life, the highly trained air medical team is capable of lifesaving interventions at the scene and in flight,” said Hovey. “We essentially serve as a flying ICU, with enhanced pre-hospital care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.”

Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service, delivers lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year. Air Methods states that the air medical service is in-network with most health insurance companies, so a membership is never needed. The patient advocacy program also works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability. FBN

Courtesy Photo: Native Air 22 is equipped with a Bell 407 helicopter and a skilled high-altitude flight crew.