A local press report confirms that LifeTeam from Kansas have this week launched operations from Central Nebraska Regional Airport with a Bell LongRanger IV helicopter [editor note, N45EA, serial 51104].  The following is text of a LifeTeam press release from May 2012 when they announced their plans:-

When faced with a medical emergency, Nebraska residents will now have faster access to the life-saving care they need. LifeTeam, an air medical transport company, will provide a locally based rotor wing to transport the community’s critically ill or injured patients to tertiary care. LifeTeam’s highly trained medical and flight crews safely transport patients with a medical or surgical emergency that may need the advanced care provided by a trauma center, a cardiac cath lab, or a stroke team. LifeTeam has been working with authorities at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport to develop the new service which will be based locally at the airport.

LifeTeam’s focus is to work cooperatively with EMS agencies and area hospitals to enhance and expedite patient care in rural communities when needed. A physician-driven company, LifeTeam ensures clinical excellence with an on-line medical director involved in each transport. “From the beginning, LifeTeam has been a healthcare provider that utilizes air and ground vehicles in its practice of transport medicine. This patient focus is present in every part of safely transporting patients to specialty care and we look forward to bringing this resource to the region,” states Martin Sellberg, M.D., medical director and CEO.

The Bell 206 Longranger helicopter will be based at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport. Crew Quarters will also be located next to the hangar facility with crews “ready alert” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “We are excited about the opportunity to serve the Grand Island community and surrounding areas,” says Melissa Knott, LifeTeam COO. “Authorities at the airport and the Economic Development Department have been extremely supportive and instrumental to bringing this service to Grand Island. The City of Grand Island has all the right elements for this to be a very successful base.”

LifeTeam’s goal is to provide a complete system to Nebraska so that each and every patient that needs rapid transport to a higher level of care can be responded to quickly and safely, receiving the level of care they would in an intensive care unit. In addition to the Grand Island helicopter, LifeTeam has a fixed wing pressurized all weather Beech King Air based in McCook, NE. This base will work very closely with the new Grand Island rotor base. The King Air will be able to make transports from the central Nebraska region if the Grand Island helicopter is already in service or if weather conditions dictate.
LifeTeam also offers a membership program which provides prepaid protection against the cost of a LifeTeam air transport that exceeds any insurance or medical benefits; for members, the company waives all out-of-pocket costs for the transport. Members are covered in all LifeTeam service areas. Visit www.lifeteam.us for more information.