Life Link III plans to open a new base of operations in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The base, which will be its 11th helicopter location throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, will provide additional air medical resources with clinical capabilities to support its consortium member-owners and surrounding communities.

The Detroit Lakes airport base will provide services as an around the clock, 365 days a year operation, and will feature a hangar, offices and crew quarters. The establishment of this new base will bring 16 career opportunities to this area.

Life Link III's helicopters and aeroplane are medically configured and equipped to serve as flying ICUs. Advanced clinical capabilities and equipment featured on board include point-of-care laboratory testing, point-of-care ultrasound and LUCAS mechanical CPR. Whole blood is also carried on board every flight.

Ten health systems make up the Life Link III consortium and Essentia Health has been a member of the consortium since 2010 and serves this region through its 14 hospitals, 72 clinics and other facilities and pharmacies across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Life Link III to expand access to emergency medical services to everyone in Detroit Lakes, Becker County and our surrounding communities,” says Tanner Goodrich, Essentia's senior vice president of operations. “In emergency situations, timely access to care can be the difference in life and death. The commitment to access and quality by Essentia Health and Life Link III will improve health outcomes in the communities that we serve.”

“Life Link III has been a great care partner to Essentia Health throughout the years, from relocating a helicopter to the Detroit Lakes area to assisting in medical coverage for large-scale community events,” adds Joe Newton, senior director of emergency medical services for Essentia.