New Washington and Oregon medevac bases cut response times for Life Flight crews

Life Flight Network, a nonprofit air and ground critical care transport service, has expanded its regional air medical infrastructure with the opening of two new hangar facilities in Washington and Oregon, designed to reduce response times and improve access to critical care for patients in rural areas. 

In Washington state, a newly completed US$2.6m hangar at Walla Walla Regional Airport is now fully operational, enabling crews to reach aircraft more quickly and cut emergency response times by up to 15 minutes. 

The facility, delivered by the Port of Walla Walla, houses pilots, paramedics, and nurses on shift and includes on-site accommodation to support rapid deployment for time-critical missions. 

Life Flight Network Chief Executive Ben Clayton said the investment would strengthen access to emergency care in rural regions where transport times to specialist hospitals could be significant. 

He told local news outlets: “Just because you live in a rural place doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to high-quality care. That’s something we take very, very seriously.”  

“Things can change really quickly, and an extra 15 minutes can make a lot of difference in patient care and could be the difference between life and death,” added Life Flight nurse Kylie Vanarsdale. 

Separately, Life Flight Network has also opened a new hangar in Hermiston, Oregon, located on the Good Shepherd Health Care System campus. 

The organization said the relocation placed aircraft and crew just steps from the Good Shepherd Emergency Department, following three years of operating from Hermiston Airport. The new base is expected to further improve response times and includes a dedicated maintenance facility for its medical helicopter. 

Life Flight said the proximity to hospital services would enhance coordination with clinical teams and strengthen emergency response capabilities in the region. 

The service transports patients requiring higher levels of care to specialist hospitals across the Pacific Northwest, including in Spokane, Seattle, and Portland. 

In March, Life Flight Network also purchased two airbus H145 D3 helicopters from Rotortrade, enhancing its position in the US emergency medical services market. 

Image credit: Life Flight Network