REACH Moves Medical Helicopter to Salida

COLORADO – REACH Air Medical Services announced Tuesday it has relocated its 24-hour air medical transport base from Central Colorado Regional Airport in Buena Vista to its new facility on the campus of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida.

As reported by The Mountain Mail, personnel were still in the process of moving in Tuesday, they were operational, Jason Knudson, program director for REACH’s Salida operation, said.

The new central location will result in faster response times for emergency and trauma patients in Chaffee, Gunnison, Alamosa, Del Norte, Saguache, Custer and Fremont counties, a press release stated.

“We are incredibly excited to provide service from our new facility at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center,” Knudson said.

 

“This relocation will enable us to continue working closely with the outstanding clinicians at HRRMC, while also strengthening our overall support to local emergency medical services and health care systems in Southern Colorado,” he said.

The 4,100-square-foot facility features a 1,600-square-foot private crew quarters and a 2,500-square-foot heated aircraft hangar and provides quick access to the hospital’s helipad for transport requests.

The Salida base is staffed by a flight crew consisting of pilots, clinicians (nurses and medics) and aircraft maintenance technicians.

There are four separate crews consisting of a pilot, mechanic, nurse and medic.

Knudson said having the living quarters attached to the hangar will allow crews to get loaded and en route more quickly.

The Airbus H-125 helicopter operated by REACH is medically configured and has the latest avionics and safety features.

REACH, which acquired Guardian Flight last month, operates throughout southern Colorado with additional air ambulance bases in Otero, Alamosa and Del Norte counties.

The service responds to emergency situations as well as interfacility transfers.