Air Methods opens Wyoming Life Flight 3 base in Evanston

Air Methods has expanded its air medical network in the Mountain West with the launch of Wyoming Life Flight 3. The new base, which opened this week at Evanston Regional Hospital, will provide around-the-clock emergency air transport for residents and visitors across southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah.

Wyoming Life Flight 3 joins existing bases in Casper – where the programme operates both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft – as well as AirLife Utah’s rotary-wing sites in Brigham City and Lehi. All are part of Air Methods’ regional critical care ecosystem.

The Evanston base will operate 24/7, responding to trauma, strokes, heart attacks, burns, paediatric emergencies, and high-risk obstetric and neonatal cases. Crews will also handle interfacility transfers for patients needing specialised treatment elsewhere. The ability to airlift patients will often cut transport times in half compared with ground transport.

“We’re excited to bring the people of Uinta County and the surrounding areas faster access to advanced critical care,” said Erik Bornemeier, Account Executive, Air Methods. “Wyoming Life Flight is committed to being mission-ready whenever and wherever our services are needed, ensuring patients receive the highest level of care in their most critical moments.”

Wyoming Life Flight 3 will operate an AS350 helicopter equipped to function as a flying intensive care unit. The aircraft carries advanced medications and equipment, including whole blood for transfusions and a Zoll AutoPulse NXT device, which delivers automatic chest compressions during flight.

“Having Wyoming Life Flight establish a permanent base on Evanston’s helipad is a tremendous benefit to our community,” said Bob Moore, interim CEO of Evanston Regional Hospital. “This collaboration will significantly reduce transfer times – often cutting them in half – helping patients experiencing emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, or high-risk obstetric situations receive timely, specialised care.”

Air Methods said it remains in-network with most health insurers and offers patient advocacy services to keep air medical transport accessible and affordable.

The air ambulance provider recently partnered with Hawaiian helicopter operator and flight training provider Mauna Loa Helicopters to encourage aspiring pilots to enter the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) sector.