Pafford Air One, the clinical helicopter division of Pafford EMS, has entered into a strategic partnership with Shreveport, Louisiana-based Metro Aviation. This partnership will combine Pafford's pre-hospital care with Metro's recognised excellence in helicopter transportation services and flight safety and training programmes.

Under the partnership, which begins in February 2021, Metro will employ all Pafford Air One pilots and maintenance personnel, conduct all helicopter flight training and provide all helicopter maintenance, safety programmes and operational oversight.

“Metro Aviation's robust operational control centre and IRIS programme, along with night vision goggle upgrades, safety management system, FOQA and numerous other programmes, including its Level 7 simulator for the Bell 407 in Shreveport, added to our decision-making process and reinforces our commitment to safety and operational excellence,” says Keith Carter, Pafford EMS/Air One's senior VP and chief operating officer. “Our mission is always providing exceptional level one patient care. The partnership with Metro ensures this promise is kept. The same Pafford Air One crews that you have trusted to provide practical solutions to your critical care transport needs for nearly 15 years will continue to serve our patients and healthcare partners. Our certified flight nurses and certified flight paramedics will continue to be Pafford Air One employees, operating under our well-established protocols and proactive medical direction. By partnering with Metro Aviation, a highly respected and customer-focused helicopter transportation service provider with considerable aviation-related resources, Pafford Air One becomes even stronger.”

Part-owner and director of business integration for Metro Todd Stanberry adds: “We are truly humbled and honoured to partner with Pafford. Its commitment to doing what is right and best for the patient, coupled with the transparency we have experienced from Greg, Keith and Dr. Seymour from the minute we began discussions, not to mention being a Louisiana-based company, made this addition to the Metro family a shoo-in.”

Pafford Air One will continue the same medical direction, medical staffing and programme management structure that it has provided since its founding in 2006. Pafford Air One employees currently serve communities in north Louisiana, south and southeast Arkansas, and central and northwest Mississippi. The company maintains operations in Ruston, Louisiana; Clarksdale and Jackson, Mississippi; and Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

“Pafford Air One is thrilled to gain a local partner that cares as much as we do about the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas,” concludes Pafford EMS president and CEO Greg Pafford. “Metro's culture, long-standing commitment to safety, customer service and being family-owned-and-operated since day one aligned with our company vision and our future in the air medical environment.”