Local EMS and area healthcare professionals pleased with decision to move existing air medical base to Cottage Grove.
Life Flight Network (LFN) moved its base of operation from Fire Station 2 (1725 W. 2nd Ave in Eugene) to Cottage Grove September 19th.
Jacob Dalstra, Regional Director, states, “We are proud to serve Lane County with a local helicopter since basing an aircraft here in 2008. After several years of analysis, we were able to conclude Cottage Grove is a more centralized location for this precious resource. The new location will help maximize our coverage to all communities we serve and improve response times to areas we most frequently fly to.”
The helicopter is be based at the Cottage Grove State Airport until a new helipad is constructed at PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center. The aircraft is staffed 24/7 with a specially trained pilot, critical care flight nurse, and flight paramedic.
“On behalf of the medical community of Cottage Grove Community Medical Center, we are pleased to have Life Flight Network relocate their South Willamette operations to Cottage Grove. Not only will Life Flight’s presence better serve our community’s emergent medical needs, but enable faster response times and critically needed resources to Douglas County and surrounding coastal communities. I can’t think of a better organization to partner with to improve access to definitive care and save lives” said Tim Herrmann, RN, MBA Chief Administrative Officer, Cottage Grove Community Medical Center.
The helicopter can reach PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend (Springfield, OR) in 8 – minutes, or Mercy Medical Center (Roseburg, OR) in 16 -minutes from Cottage Grove. FireMed Plus members will still enjoy excellent coverage from LFN. Douglas County residents will see improved response times from the new location.
John Wooten, South Lane County Fire & Rescue Chief, is supportive of the move stating, “South Lane County Fire & Rescue is excited LFN chose Cottage Grove as the new home for Life Flight 5. This is a tremendous resource for a community and area of our size. We are keenly aware of the true life -saving potential a helicopter and critical care crew bring to the table.” He adds, “We are in the process of modifying some of our response policies to make better use of this life saving resource. SLCF&R is looking forward to a great partnership with LFN, and openly welcome them to the area.”
Rich Stephens, Base Manager in Cottage Grove, stated, “We will also make an announcement in the next 12 -months regarding a highly specialized GPS routing system designed specifically for Life Flight Network, and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.” He adds, “Upon final approval by the FAA, LFN will be able to safely fly in weather conditions other air medical providers cannot fly in. The Cottage Grove Airport is a key part of this routing system.”
LFN, the largest non -profit flight program in America, provides critical care transportation for seriously ill or injured patients throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. LFN’s aircraft offer the ability to transport a critical care team, along with comprehensive life saving medications and state of the art medical equipment. LFN’s air ambulance is the only resource bringing blood to critically injured patients before they reach a hospital.
LFN has provided award winning high quality critical care air medical service for more than 36 years. Earlier this year, LFN was awarded the, “Excellence in Community Service Award” from the Association of Air Medical Services. LFN has also received the prestigious Program of the Year award, the first program on the West Coast to ever receive the award. LFN is owned by a consortium of four world-‐class health systems, including Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University and Providence Health System‐Oregon.
