04/12/2007: "Island Air Ambulance Celebration Sunday"

(File photo-“lifeport stretcher demonstrated by EMTs)

The public is invited to join in a celebration of the new Island Air Ambulance service to be held on Sunday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Island Air hangar at the Friday Harbor Airport. Rep. Rick Larsen, state Sen. Harriet Spanel, and Councilman Kevin Ranker have also been invited to attend.

Island Air’s specially configured Cessna aircraft and the FAA-certified Lifeport Stretcher will be on display and will be demonstrated by the flight-certified EMTs. The many islanders who have supported the development of the air ambulance service will be recognized, along with the government officials who facilitated the licensing process.

This event is the formal inauguration of the Island Air Ambulance. This service provides faster transportation from the San Juan Islands to mainland hospitals for stable patients with non life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be served.

The celebration will be at the Island Air hangar at Friday Harbor Airport. Parking is available in front of Aeronautical Services off Airport Circle. Pedestrian access to the hangar is via the gate next to Aeronautical Services.

San Juan Island EMS is the tax supported, county EMS agency serving the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington. It provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention. The staff of career paramedics and volunteer EMTs is available twenty-four hour a day.

Island Air Ambulance is a healthcare partnership of San Juan Island EMS and Island Air Inc.
Island Air Inc. is a safety award winning, charter company that has provided on-demand flight services throughout the San Juan Islands, Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia since 1992. It currently operates a fleet of five Cessna aircraft and has a staff of eight veteran pilots who have a combined experience of more than 75,000 accident-free flight hours.