posted August 21, 2024

 Emergency air medical service hosts special event to recognize a decade of care in and around Yellowstone National Park.  

West Yellowstone, MT – Aug. 21, 2024 – Providing 10 years of emergency air medical care is something worth celebrating, so Air Idaho Rescue 3, based in West Yellowstone, held a special gathering at their base at Yellowstone Airport on Tuesday, Aug. 20 to mark the anniversary. Guests including representatives from Hebgen Basin Fire District, Yellowstone National Park EMS, and West Yellowstone Police Department joined the Air Idaho crew for the celebration. 

“The growth of this base over the past 10 years is amazing,” said Mike Jenkins, area manager for the Air Idaho Rescue program. “From our great beginnings with the airport, to the partnerships with ground EMS, the fire department, the police department, and the other trusted relationships we’ve built, here we are today with 10 years of service and over 1,000 patients transported. That is over 1,000 people impacted because of what we’ve been able to build here together.” 

Among the guests who spoke at the celebration was Yellowstone National Park EMS/Search and Rescue Director Jim Warren. He remarked on the program’s value to the park’s visitors. The need for high-quality air medical care is critical from May through September when approximately four million visitors head to the park, so Air Idaho Rescue is there to answer the call. 

“One thing I really appreciate about working here in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem is the quality and the availability of our air assets, and for us, Air Idaho has been at the forefront of that,” said Warren. “When we call for your help, our objectives are largely the same. We want to take care of injured people and get them to the hospital as quickly and efficiently as we can. Air Idaho is always there for us, and we really appreciate it.” 

Yellowstone Airport Manager Jeff Kadlec, who helped the base get established with the airport, also spoke at the event.  

“The investment in the infrastructure here at the Air Idaho base has really anchored this resource for our community,” said Kadlec. “I’m personally so glad you are here because I know if my family ever needs your service, you can get them to medical attention a lot faster than they can go by ground. I thank Air Idaho for being in partnership with us and for continuing to provide excellent service to the West Yellowstone community.”  

Guests enjoyed a casual lunch, and the Air Idaho Rescue fixed wing crew from Idaho Falls and the rotor wing crew from Driggs flew in for the event so attendees could take an up-close look at the two types of aircraft serving the program. 

Air Idaho Rescue is part of Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the United States. It is equipped with an AS 350 helicopter ideally suited for the climate and elevation of Yellowstone National Park, Hebgen Basin, and the surrounding areas. This flying ICU carries the equipment and medications needed to save lives in emergency situations, along with industry-leading flight nurses and paramedics who are trained to provide critical care to patients suffering from trauma due to accidents, cardiac and stroke events, high-risk obstetric emergencies, and more. They carry whole blood on board and can administer it in flight to patients suffering from severe blood loss and at risk for hemorrhagic shock. 

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities it serves and their visitors and is in-network with most major health insurance providers across the country for emergency air medical services. Additionally, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance or the state they may be visiting from, to ensure affordability while making pre-paid air medical membership unnecessary.