Representatives from AirMethods, the parent company of Lifenet SC, attended the EMS Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by Colleton Medical Center Wednesday 18-May. They made the official announcement that the company will be basing a medical helicopter on a full time basis in Colleton County beginning this summer. Many people have worked hard to make this a reality. Hospital Administrator Mitch Mongell had been successful in having the helicopter come to the Colleton Medical Center two days a week, but the need existed to a have a full time air medical unit here. After nearly a year of negotiations, the work paid off. AirMethods started definite actions toward a base around March of this year. The plans call for the helicopter to be based at Colleton Medical Center.

This is an ideal location, being situated in the center of our county. The crew will be utilizing office space in the Doctor’s Building near the Emergency Department. They will have a hanger rented at the Lowcountry Regional Airport in the event the helicopter needs to be housed for maintenance or poor weather. This will be Lifenet’s fourth unit in South Carolina. They will be responding to neighboring counties as well. The unit will greatly increase Fire-Rescue and the Hospital’s ability to rapidly transport critical patients to specialty care centers. This life saving tool will be a tremendous asset for Emergency Medical providers in the region. The Lifenet crews have worked well with local personnel, so the relationship should continue to grow.