posted August 09, 2024

 Emergency air medical program brings fun and education to a special event 

 Roswell, NM, Aug. 9, 2024 – When the Roswell Police Department and Roswell Fire Department hosted a National Night Out event at the Aquatic Center on Aug. 6, the Native Air emergency air medical crews from Roswell and Carlsbad were there to show their support and meet the community. 

“We look forward to National Night Out because it gives us a chance to promote strong partnerships between first responders and the community,” said Evelyn Thompson, flight nurse with Native Air 29 in Carlsbad. “The neighborhood camaraderie we build helps make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work.” 

In addition to providing a close-up look at their medical helicopter, the Native Air team offered guests the opportunity to see the mannequin heads used to practice intubations and other skills. Attendees even tried their hand at intubations, while some of the paramedics visiting the booth even enjoyed a friendly contest to see who could do it the fastest. Guests were also able to check out a blood pressure monitor, flight suit and helmet, and participate in a raffle for prizes. 

Among the guests were a Boy Scout pack and the Goddard High School cheerleading squad, who enjoyed learning how Native Air’s emergency air medical service takes care of the people of eastern New Mexico.   

“We love getting to meet people from our community and showing them a little bit of what our jobs entail,” said Thompson. “It is also great to see people from the other agencies we work with in a less stressful environment. Catching up with each other while we are on a call isn’t possible, so we enjoy seeing them at events like National Night Out.” 

Native Air is part of Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the United States. The highly trained flight nurses and paramedics onboard their helicopters and fixed wing aircraft are equipped to transport pediatric, high-risk obstetrics, cardiac, stroke, and other patients with a wide variety of critical care needs. They carry whole blood that can be administered in-flight for patients suffering significant blood loss and at risk for hemorrhagic shock, which causes the body’s organs to fail and can lead to death. 

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities it serves and is in-network with most major health insurance providers across the country. Additionally, its patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability while making pre-paid air medical membership unnecessary.