Air Ambulance

1) Do I need to be a Cal-Ore LifeFlight member to use your services?
2) How do I arrange an air ambulance transfer?
3) Who arranges the ground transportation to and from the aircraft?
4) What type of aircraft do you use?
5) Can the patient's family members go with the patient in the air ambulance?
6) What kinds of patients are you equipped to transport?
7) Who do you use as flight staff?
8) What type of special training does your flight staff receive?
9) "Intensive Care in the Air?"

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2) How do I arrange an air ambulance transfer?
Our 24-hour dispatch number is (800) 705-1728.

Air ambulance transfers are easily arranged by the sending facility. A Flight Coordinator, is available 24 hours a day. After obtaining the data needed regarding the flight, the coordinator will contact the pilot and arrange for the appropriate flight crew. Once this is in place, the flight coordinator will contact the facility with an estimated arrival time.

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3) Who arranges the ground transportation to and from the aircraft?
We do. We set up and confirm all ground transportation, from the transferring facility to the airport and from the destination airport to the receiving facility.

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4) What type of aircraft do you use?
We operate Piper Cheyennes, twin-engine, turbine powered, jet-props, and a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, turbo-charged, twin-engine aircraft. These aircraft are equipped to fly in all weather we experience on the Pacific coast. They are also pressurized to minimize the effects of altitude on critically ill patients who may suffer in a non-pressurized craft, such as a helicopter.

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5) Can the patient's family members go with the patient in the air ambulance?
Whenever possible, we try to allow ONE family member to accomodate the patient. However, there are many variables that enter into this decision, so it is made on a case-by-case basis.

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6) What kinds of patients are you equipped to transport?
We are equipped and trained to transport all types of patients both as planned transports and emergent ill transports, including adults, children, and high risk obstetrical patients. In concert with a RVMC neonatal team, we transport neonatal patients.

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7) Who do you use as flight staff?
Cal-Ore Life Flight uses experienced nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics from its home communities. Every flight is staffed by a crew of 3 - a pilot and two aeromedical crew members, one of whom is an experienced critical care RN. The staffing for each flight is tailored for each patient's needs by the flight coordinator.

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8) What type of special training does your flight staff receive?
Cal-Ore Life Flight takes pride in the fact that it has an active continuing education department that provides 50 continuing education hours yearly for all flight crew members. Topics include: FAA regulations and flight safety, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Airway Management, Flight Physiology, Trauma, High Risk Obstetrical Patients, Neonatal Resuscitation, and Pediatric Trauma and Advanced Life Support. Cal-Ore Life Flight also provides opportunities for its nurses to attend regional and national conferences to ensure our practice meets national standards.

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9) What is Intensive Care in the Air?
At Cal-Ore Life Flight, our aircraft are staffed and equipped as airborne intensive care units that can handle most critical transport needs.

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If you have any other questions or concerns, please e-mail or call us and we will be happy to assist you.