Cal-Ore Life Flight recently announced their intent to conduct a feasibility study involving the establishment of an air ambulance base at the Eureka-Murray and/or Eureka-Arcata airports. Cal-Ore, who operates four pressurized fixed-wing Advance Life Support (ALS) aircraft from their home base in Crescent City, presently serves Humboldt County by flying in to transport patients to higher medical care, upon request from local hospitals.

According to Cal-Ore President Dan Brattain, "Our company seeks to determine if a locally based air ambulance can be financially justified". Brattain, a Brookings , Oregon resident who was born and raised in Fortuna and graduated from Humboldt State University, says the local medical community has been very supportive and also feels that Humboldt County residents deserve this service. "We have been discussing this proposed service with the local medical community with overwhelming support. The key is whether or not the volume of medical transports can justify the substantial costs of basing an aircraft in the Eureka area".

While Brattain says his service is the closest to Eureka with a flight time from Crescent City to Eureka of 15-20 minutes, once on the ground, their medical teams must travel to the hospital and assess the patient to transport. "In an urgent medical situation, substantial time can be saved by having local crews available to respond directly to the hospital. There are also many days where we can depart into low visibility weather environments, however, these conditions make it difficult to land when flying in from Crescent City", Brattain said.

The study is to take place over the next three to six months.

For more information, please contact Deanie Hanlon or Dan Brattain at 541-469-7911.