Air Methods inaugurates expanded AirCom dispatch center in Omaha

Air Methods officially marked the opening of its new national dispatch facility – now the largest dedicated aeromedical dispatch center in the USA – with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on 14 May at its new location on 4010 South 148th Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

The purpose-built facility unites 225 teammates from the AirCom and Direct Patient Logistics (DPL) teams under one roof, supporting 24/7 coordination for more than 300 rotor- and fixed-wing air ambulances nationwide, as well as ground transfers for major hospital networks. Operations moved into the center in January, with the new space tripling the floorspace of the previous facility and introducing several key enhancements.

“This new building, along with its many enhancements, gives our teams the tools and environment they need to focus on their vital work,” said Tim Seidel, Director of AirCom Operations. “The upgrades, both seen and unseen, enable our teams to help coordinate the fastest, safest, and most appropriate transport possible for every patient.”

Designed to ensure mission-critical reliability, the center features upgraded network infrastructure, flexible meeting areas, and robust redundancies for both power and communication systems. Each workstation is backed by alternative power sources, enabling seamless operations even during outages.

Air Methods CEO Rob Hamilton emphasized the crucial role of dispatchers in the organization’s mission: “These individuals are the first point of contact in the thousands of transports we support every month. Their role, while very much behind the scenes, is absolutely critical to our mission and we’re thrilled they now have this amazing facility to better support their work.”

The ribbon-cutting event brought together AirCom and DPL teammates, community members, Air Methods’ executive leadership team, and local dignitaries, including Omaha City Council member Don Rowe. Crewmembers from LifeNet 1-3 (Columbus) and LifeNet 1-1 (Omaha) were also in attendance, with aircraft scheduled for display – weather permitting – to offer visitors a closer look at air medical operations.

The grand opening follows Air Methods’ recent strategic developments, including a master purchasing agreement for up to 27 Bell aircraft, aimed at further modernizing its national fleet.