US not-for-profit air medical transport service Life Flight Network is to add a 24 hour helicopter critical care transport base in Salem, Oregon. Its highly trained flight crew will provide ICU level care to the communities of Oregon's Willamette Valley and the surrounding area, augmenting its existing air medical services in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, including its bases in Cottage Grove, Newport and Aurora, Oregon.

"We've experienced an increased demand for our services in the Willamette Valley as the population has grown to roughly three million residents. The addition of a base in Salem will increase our capacity to support the healthcare needs of rural communities, reducing response times when time is of the essence," says chief executive Ben Clayton. "It is our privilege to serve the communities in this region and expand their access to quality healthcare alongside hospitals and emergency response agencies."

Life Flight Network fulfils its mission of saving lives through industry-leading care and transport by transporting thousands of patients each year who require rapid response ICU-level care, many of whom live in rural communities. As an integral part of the EMS and healthcare system, Life Flight Network is committed to placing air medical resources where patients need them most.

"Air medical resources are a lifeline for rural communities' access to specialty care across Oregon. At Life Flight Network we are excited for the opening of a base in Salem as it represents our steadfast commitment to the healthcare partners in the Willamette Valley and the surrounding area," says Dr Tom Lorish, chief executive of outreach and strategic affiliation for Providence Health and Services and an owner representative on the Life Flight Network board of directors.

Its aircrafts' state-of-the-art medical interiors along with the combined efforts of a flight registered nurse and flight paramedic enable Life Flight Network crews to operate a mobile intensive care unit. Crews have the ability to perform a multitude of highly skilled life-saving medical interventions during transport, including video laryngoscopies, management of ICU-level ventilators and emergency blood transfusions.

A dedicated aircraft in Salem will also mean increased emergency medical care resources for Life Flight Network's valued EMS partners. Salem fire chief Mike Niblock adds: "Salem Fire Department is looking forward to Life Flight Network's upcoming deployment of resources in Salem. The addition of this critical medical asset is exciting for our community, and we are pleased to welcome it to Salem."