Life Flight Network

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For other uses, see Life flight (disambiguation).

Life Flight Network is a non profit air and ground critical care transport service based in Aurora, Oregon, in the northern Willamette Valley, with services in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana in the United States.[1][2]

Operations[]

Life Flight helicopter landing on the MultiCare Deaconess Hospital helipad in Spokane, WA

Service area[]

It has 23 locations throughout the Columbia, Willamette and Snake river watersheds.[1]

Bases[]

Life Flight Network operates bases across the Pacific Northwest in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

  • In Oregon there are bases in Aurora, Cottage Grove, Newport, Astoria, Pendleton, Redmond, Ontario and La Grande.
  • In Washington there are bases in Kelso, Brewster, Moses Lake, Richland, Pullman, Spokane, Dallesport, Port Angeles, Coupeville, and Walla Walla.
  • In Idaho there are bases at Boise, Burley, Sandpoint, and Lewiston.
  • In Montana there are bases in Missoula, Butte, and Bozeman.
  • It also has fixed-wing bases in Aurora, Boise, Dallesport, Moses Lake, La Grande, Richland, Butte, and Port Angeles.

LifeFlight gained part 135 certification in 2013 from the Boise Idaho FSDO after years of overpriced vendor business with CJ systems and Air Methods Corp. Air Methods was determined to see the failure of LifeFlight when it announced its intent to gain part 135 certification and not renew contracts, but better business strategy prevailed. Local Hospitals preferred LFN over AMC due to superior customer service. LFN was Air Method’s largest contract, hence the attempt to see LFN fail.

In 2013 LifeFlight chose the Agusta 119KX as its helicopter platform leasing them for 10 years from a Chinese firm. Arizona based Tri State care flight assisted LFN in bridging the gap by allowing LFN to operate their new aircraft under Tri State’s 135 certificate while maintaining in service status and attaining their own 135 certificate. This prevented Air Methods leveraging their attempts to cut LFN off at the knees without servicing each of it’s base when contracts expired.

Currently as of 2021 LFN is dissolving it’s A119Kx fleet and replacing them with Bell 429s and 407s as the 10 year lease is coming due. The Agusta reliability and customer service reputation was extremely poor despite excellent aircraft speed and ability.

Fleet and equipment[]

As of 2021 Life Flight Network has a combined fleet of medical helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground ambulances.[3]

Specific fleet vehicles include:

Crew[]

Each medical flight typically includes a Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic, and Pilot. Neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists may also accompany patients requiring specialty care during transport.

Ownership and funding[]

The consortium of Oregon Health & Science University, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and Providence Health & Services own Life Flight Network

Life Flight is supported by annual membership fees and other sources of revenue.

References[]

  1. ^ a b Stratton, Edward. "Life Flight to the rescue". The Daily Astorian. The Daily Astorian. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Life Flight replaces Air Link". La Grande Observer. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Emergency Vehicle Fleet". Life Flight Network. Retrieved 2019-10-15.

External links[]

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