Air Methods, Pafford Medical Services announce launch of Pafford air med rotor wing program. Program will start with Bell 407 aircraft in Texarkana, Arkadelphia. HOPE, AR, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Air Methods, the nation's leading air medical service provider, announced today a new partnership with Pafford Medical Services to launch a rotor wing air medical program across Southern Arkansas. This program, which is expected to become operational in October 2026, will operate air medical bases in Texarkana and Arkadelphia, each operating a Bell 407 helicopter. This partnership brings together Air Methods' nationally recognized aviation expertise with Pafford Medical Services' high-quality, pre-hospital emergency medical care. Once operations begin, this program will significantly enhance rapid access to advanced medical transport for patients in both urban and rural communities, supporting hospitals, first responders, and healthcare providers throughout the region. "By partnering with Pafford Medical Services, we are able to ensure that the residents of Southern Arkansas continue to have access to care, regardless of how far they may be from the nearest trauma center," said Air Methods Vice President of Field Operations Michael McGregory. "By combining our industry-leading air medical services with Pafford's long-established ground ambulance services, we are strengthening the ability of both partners to deliver timely, appropriate, and high-quality care when minutes matter most." Each base will be staffed around the clock with Air Methods' highly trained pilots and mechanics, alongside Pafford's experienced clinicians, delivering a seamless, integrated approach to emergency and critical care transport. The aircraft will have the capability to carry specialized medical equipment, including Impella, intra-aortic balloon pump, and ZOLL AutoPulse NXT devices to support complex cardiac patient transport. Crews will also carry whole blood for in-flight administration to patients experiencing severe blood loss and at risk of hemorrhagic shock. "For generations, Pafford has been committed to finding ways to bring the right resources closer to the communities we serve," said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, CEO of Pafford Medical Services. "This partnership is a natural extension of that commitment. By combining Pafford's experienced clinicians and established EMS network with Air Methods' aviation expertise, we are adding another resource that can help connect patients to the care they need when time and distance matter. Our flight clinicians bring advanced critical care experience and rigorous, specialized training to this program, preparing them to care for some of the most complex patients during transport. We are proud to bring this capability home to Arkansas and look forward to working alongside our hospitals, first responders and healthcare partners across the region." The first base, which will open in Texarkana, will operate in a brand-new Bell 407GXi. The light, single-engine turbine helicopter features advanced Garmin G1000H NXi avionics and a Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/4 engine. The aircraft also has Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability, allowing for safe operation in low-visibility conditions. The base in Arkadelphia will operate in a Bell 407 which is already part of the Air Methods fleet. Both aircraft will feature custom medical interiors, which include an Articulating Litter Loading System (ALLS), which allows for the primary caregiver to be seated at the patient's head. As part of the launch process, Air Methods and Pafford Medical Services will work closely with local stakeholders, emergency responders, and healthcare partners to ensure seamless integration of the new air medical resources into the region's emergency response network. About Air Methods Air Methods (airmethods.com) is the nation's leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year. With more than 45 years of experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. Air Methods Ascend is the company's clinical education program, allowing critical care nurses and paramedics best-in-class training opportunities using high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and cadaver labs. About Pafford Medical Services Since 1967, Pafford Medical Services has been a trusted provider of high-quality, pre-hospital emergency medical care. Family-owned and operated, Pafford proudly serves communities across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, responding to more than 350,000 requests for service each year. With a dedicated team of highly trained professionals, advanced life support capabilities and a deep commitment to patient-centered care, Pafford continues to set the standard for excellence in emergency medical services. To learn more, visit www.paffordems.com and follow Africa SMB Journal on social media. Chris Thompson Air Methods (720) 436-7312 [email protected] Suzie Barham Pafford Medical Services (870) 777-7427 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Africa SMB Journal do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Air Methods expands Air medical ecosystem with new base. Share On... by Air Methods posted August 12, 2026 SkyLife 34 opens in Contra Costa County, strengthening regional access to critical care transport. BYRON, CA - August 12, 2026 - Air Methods, the nation's leading air medical service, is expanding access to emergency critical care transport across Contra Costa County with the opening of a new air medical base. SkyLife 34, based at Byron Airport, strengthens regional emergency response by providing rapid access to advanced medical care. SkyLife 34 joins Air Methods' extensive air medical network serving communities across California. With 27 other Air Methods-operated bases across the state, the new location strengthens the company's ability to connect patients to lifesaving care and further expands Air Methods' integrated air medical ecosystem in California. "The opening of SkyLife 34 reflects Air Methods' continued investment in California and our commitment to building a strong, connected air medical ecosystem that improves access to lifesaving care," said Vanessa Hayflich, Air Methods PacWest Regional Director. "Each new base enhances our ability to respond quickly, support communities across the region, and ensure patients can reach the specialized care they need." The SkyLife 34 team consists of a pilot, flight nurse, flight paramedic, and on-call aviation mechanic - all highly trained specialists who complete rigorous annual training programs. Air Methods pilots train using Level D Full Flight Simulators, the most advanced simulation technology approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and used by most commercial airlines. Clinical crew members receive advanced hands-on instruction through Ascend, Air Methods' multi-accredited critical care clinical education program, ensuring they consistently perform at the top of their licensure. SkyLife helicopters function as hospital-level flying intensive care units, equipped with advanced technology and medications to treat critically ill and injured patients. SkyLife flight nurses and paramedics undergo extensive, ongoing training in trauma, cardiac and stroke care, respiratory emergencies, and high-risk obstetrics. The crew responds to a wide range of emergencies and carries blood for use at the scene or in flight, a resource proven to improve survival in critical cases. Crews are also equipped with the ZOLL AutoPulse(R) NXT device, which delivers uninterrupted, high-quality chest compressions during flight, freeing clinicians to provide other life-saving interventions for patients in cardiac arrest. The long-standing emergency air medical program celebrated 35 years of service to the community in May, reinforcing its commitment to providing the highest level of critical care. With the addition of SkyLife 34, Air Methods continues to strengthen critical care infrastructure across California, expanding its statewide presence and improving patient access to rapid, high-quality emergency medical transport services.

NEWDanville approves first regional air ambulance base at airport. Danville approves first regional air ambulance base at airport. by Haley Pender Thu, August 6, 2026 at 7:05 PM 00:00 01:33 Danville Regional Airport (Haley Pender) DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) - Danville city leaders have approved a partnership that will bring the region's first air ambulance base to the Danville Regional Airport, a move officials say will improve emergency medical response times for critically ill and injured patients. The project is a partnership between Air Methods Transport Services and HCA. According to documents from Danville Fire Chief David St. Clair, there were 347 calls requiring a medical helicopter in the Danville area last year - nearly one every day. Currently, patients who need to be flown to higher levels of care must wait for helicopters to arrive from hospitals located farther away. Officials say basing an air ambulance in Danville will allow crews to respond more quickly to emergencies and transport patients to specialized hospitals faster. "Any type of emergency that could not be accommodated here locally - it could be a wide range of medical issues that would be supported by the air ambulance operation," Danville Director of Transportation Marc Adelman said. "We anticipate transporting patients to hospitals within about an hour." The project also includes construction of a modular operations building and three housing units near the airport, where paramedics and nurses will stay while they are on call. Adelman said the project will not require local taxpayer funding. "The modular building that's being constructed by Air Methods - there's no local funding that will apply to the project," Adelman said. City officials have not announced when the air ambulance service will begin operating. ABC 13 will provide updates once an official launch date is announced. SPONSORED CONTENT MORE TO EXPLORE