Native Air, a programme of US air medical service provider Air Methods operating throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, has a new emergency medical service located in Williams, Arizona. Native Air 22 will better serve residents and visitors of Coconino and Yavapai Counties and beyond.

Based in Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon, the Native Air team is positioned to administer the highest quality critical care whenever called upon. 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 the community critical care 24/7/365, responding to emergency medical calls for trauma events including heart attacks and strokes, paediatric emergencies, burns, motor vehicle accidents and other incidents. Additionally, the team provides critical interfacility transports when patients need to move between hospitals for specialised 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,” says 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 has achieved the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and carries the critical tools, medication and supplies needed to provide intensive care unit-level care while in flight.

Equipped with industry-leading equipment and medical devices, established bases Native Air 4 and 14 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. 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 April. 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,” says Hovey. “We essentially serve as a flying ICU, with enhanced pre-hospital care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.”

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all residents and visitors of the communities they serve and is in-network with most health insurance companies, so a membership is never needed. The patient advocacy programme also works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability.