During time-sensitive health crisis, helicopters can transport critical patients while providing life-saving care.
West Salem, Illinois, identified the benefit of a landing pad for better access to helicopter services in a remote area of the community.
“The town recognized the need to have an all-weather, year-round place to safely land with great access with a ground ambulance,” said Steven Thomson, Financial Representative and Regional Board member. "The only place for a medical helicopter to land was at the West Salem ballpark, but this posed a problem if there was an event going on or a ballgame.”
The project was headed by the Edwards County Medical Association (ECMA), and the Treasurer of ECMA, George Gerlach. “Carle AirLife was a great partner in working with ECMA on a suitable landing site and making sure safety was top priority,” said Thomson.
The site of the new landing will be the former Champion Labs parking lot. This location was selected because it provides easy access for EMS teams to deliver care. John and Terri Jordan generously donated a section of the lot to construct the landing site.
“Communities in more rural areas are faced with challenges of accessing appropriate healthcare. Whether it is appropriate services hospital or limited area ambulance coverage, or transport limitations, a helicopter can bridge that gap. The new landing pad project helps bridge that gap,” John Nichols, Operations Manager and Flight Paramedic, AirLife. “When ambulances travel longer distances with critical patients, this new pad provides a safe, easily accessible place to meet.”
In supporting the creation of the landing pad, AirLife continues advocating for patients and providing them with high-quality care. At the pad, the AirLife team will meet the ambulance to receive the patient. The team will then transport the patient by rapid air transport to the most appropriate facility while providing critical care.
“Air medical transport is a vital component in today’s healthcare,” Nichols said. “Helicopters are utilized for speed and the critical care scope of practice our highly trained clinicians provide. Staffed by a critical care paramedic and critical care nurse, our clinicians can provide ICU care during transport.”
Planning for the landing pad began in early 2024 and is now complete with support from Colyer Construction and owner Sheldon Alexander. With the new landing pad in place, the community can now rely on expanded access to their area as AirLife remains committed to ensuring patients across the region receive the highest level of care as safely, and quickly, as possible.
For more information about AirLife or Arrow Ambulance, visit Carle.org.
West Salem, Illinois, identified the benefit of a landing pad for better access to helicopter services in a remote area of the community.
“The town recognized the need to have an all-weather, year-round place to safely land with great access with a ground ambulance,” said Steven Thomson, Financial Representative and Regional Board member. "The only place for a medical helicopter to land was at the West Salem ballpark, but this posed a problem if there was an event going on or a ballgame.”
The project was headed by the Edwards County Medical Association (ECMA), and the Treasurer of ECMA, George Gerlach. “Carle AirLife was a great partner in working with ECMA on a suitable landing site and making sure safety was top priority,” said Thomson.
The site of the new landing will be the former Champion Labs parking lot. This location was selected because it provides easy access for EMS teams to deliver care. John and Terri Jordan generously donated a section of the lot to construct the landing site.
“Communities in more rural areas are faced with challenges of accessing appropriate healthcare. Whether it is appropriate services hospital or limited area ambulance coverage, or transport limitations, a helicopter can bridge that gap. The new landing pad project helps bridge that gap,” John Nichols, Operations Manager and Flight Paramedic, AirLife. “When ambulances travel longer distances with critical patients, this new pad provides a safe, easily accessible place to meet.”
In supporting the creation of the landing pad, AirLife continues advocating for patients and providing them with high-quality care. At the pad, the AirLife team will meet the ambulance to receive the patient. The team will then transport the patient by rapid air transport to the most appropriate facility while providing critical care.
“Air medical transport is a vital component in today’s healthcare,” Nichols said. “Helicopters are utilized for speed and the critical care scope of practice our highly trained clinicians provide. Staffed by a critical care paramedic and critical care nurse, our clinicians can provide ICU care during transport.”
Planning for the landing pad began in early 2024 and is now complete with support from Colyer Construction and owner Sheldon Alexander. With the new landing pad in place, the community can now rely on expanded access to their area as AirLife remains committed to ensuring patients across the region receive the highest level of care as safely, and quickly, as possible.
For more information about AirLife or Arrow Ambulance, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Community
Tags: AirLife, Ambulance, Arrow, Emergency, EMS, Helicopter, Helipad, Medical, Salem, Service, West