[Previous entry: "What Do SJC & Ho Chi Minh City Have In Common?"] [Next entry: "Good Turnout for First Food Co-Op Meeting"]

01/31/2007: "Island Air To Offer Air Ambulance"

(Island Air photo)
With the passage of the Air Ambulance Bill , it is once again possible to allow med-vac flights, and today Friday Harbor-based Island Air announced they will be operating a Federal Aviation Administration-approved Air Ambulance service starting in February.

Island Air's new air ambulance service is for BLS (Basic Life Support) transport, involving stable patients with non life-threatening injuries or illness (e.g. broken leg) who do not require extensive medications or procedures. Their new fixed wing aircraft service will complement the Airlift Northwest helicopter, which provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport for patients with life-threatening injury or illness (e.g. heart attack or major trauma). Airlift's ALS service is usually provided in a helicopter and the patient is flown directly to an appropriate tertiary care hospital.

Island Air's BLS service will be provided in a specially configured Cessna fixed wing aircraft. Ambulance transportation will be arranged at the destination airport before the Island Air Ambulance departs, and will be scheduled to meet the aircraft upon arrival. The ambulance and the aircraft will be staffed by EMTs who will maintain the continuity of care.


(b>Island Air's Cessna 206 is the first small aircraft licensed for Air Ambulance service by the FAA in the continental United States. This airplane is capable of landing at more than 14 airfields serving virtually all of the major islands in San Juan County. This service can dramatically shorten the time needed to transport a BLS patient to medical facilities by eliminating the need for a ferry or boat transport.

The aircraft is configured to accept a specially developed Lifeport Plus stretcher system whose engineering, certification and purchase were funded by community donations. FAA approval of the new stretcher and air ambulance service was actively supported by Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Maria Cantwell, San Juan County Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan Island EMS, Inter Island Medical Center, and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.

"This new service will help ensure that San Juan County families get timely access to critical emergency care. I congratulate Island Air on making this important contribution to the community," said Congressman Larsen.

"Prompt medical care is a critical issue of public health and safety for residents and visitors of the San Juan Islands. This is a significant new resource for us all. We thank Island Air and Congressman Larsen for their commitment to making this happen," said Kevin Ranker of the San Juan County Council and the County Board of Health.

"After a tremendous amount of hard work, and cooperative support from the FAA, our elected officials, and our medical professionals, we are thrilled to add this important aviation service which will benefit our local communities," said Jackie Hamilton, President of Island Air.

Airlift Northwest will continue to provide vital Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport to mainland hospitals using their helicopters. ALS typically involves the use of medications and specialized equipment associated with life-threatening conditions and the need for multiple flight nurses.

"The combination of the Island Air BLS service with the Airlift Northwest ALS service will allow us to provide a broad range of transportation services for patients who require medical assistance in reaching a hospital. This is a major addition to our patient care capabilities," said Jim Cole, Chief of San Juan Island EMS.

Depending upon circumstances and insurance coverage, BLS transport service is expected to be reimbursable under Medicare and by many private health insurance plans. The charges for this BLS service are expected to be substantially lower than the charges for ALS transport.

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.

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.

Following Questions & Answers provided by Island Air:

What are some of the advantages of Island Air's fixed wing air ambulance service?

Island Air's fixed wing air ambulance service will principally be to provide faster Basic Life Support (BLS) patient transport to mainland hospitals and medical facilities. This new service will be based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. This should result in shorter response times as the aircraft will not have to first fly from a mainland airport. In the past, there have been situations when weather at a mainland airport has prevented an aircraft from coming to the San Juans. However, weather in the Islands and at the airport near the patient's hospital could allow Island Air to provide the Air Ambulance service. An additional benefit of the new service is that, in many circumstances, a family member can fly along with the patient subject to FAA rules and regulations.

What will be the availability of Island Air to conduct Air Ambulance or other pressing flights?

Air Ambulance flights will be limited to the specially configured Cessna aircraft (N707WJ) which, on occasion, may be dispatched on other flights or be unavailable due to routine maintenance. Island Air is presently working to secure FAA approval to utilize the Lifeport Plus stretcher system in a second Cessna 206 aircraft.

Island Air has a veteran staff of qualified pilots and five aircraft that could be available 24/7 to perform pressing, non-Air Ambulance flights. These would be charter flights in any of Island Air's aircraft.

What will be the cost of Island Air's BLS Air Ambulance transport?

These costs are just now being developed. Island Air, San Juan Island EMS and San Juan Island Hospital District #1 are working to define an affordable cost structure for all of the elements involved in BLS Air Ambulance transport. Costs will likely vary by flight destination and whether the flight occurs during the day or in the middle of the night. The cost of a BLS Air Ambulance airplane flight is expected to be substantially less than an ALS Air Ambulance helicopter flight.

Will Medicare or my insurance company pay for BLS transport by Island Air?

This will depend upon both the specific nature of the patient's condition and the individual coverage provisions of Medicare and private insurance companies. Medicare and most insurance carriers are expected to provide full or partial coverage for BLS Air Ambulance services, if deemed medically necessary by the attending physician. Special plans such as AirCare are discussed below.

I have a membership in Airlift Nothwest's $79 AirCare plan. Does this apply to BLS Air Ambulance services provided by Island Air?

No. AirCare is a product of Airlift Northwest and covers only emergent air medical transport services provided by Airlift Northwest based on medical need as requested by the attending physician or medical professional.

Does Island Air offer a plan similar to AirCare?

No, not at this time. If the community expresses interest, Island Air would consider developing such a plan.