Reina P. Cunningham
Staff Writer
Middlesboro ARH Hospital celebrated the 10th anniversary for the Air Evac Lifeteam Base 33 on Tuesday.
The celebration began in the Air Evac Lifeteam Base 33 hanger at noon.
Numerous speakers addressed the crowd about the benefits of having Air Evac available to the community.
Senior Program Director for Air Evac Lifeteam Jody Jenkins summed up why the service is so important to residents of Bell County.
According to Jenkins the hospital uses the services more than most people realize.
“The hospital probably sends out anywhere from 20 to 30 a month,” explained Jenkins.
Air Evac has four helicopters, an airplane and an ambulance within 20 minutes of the hospital. In many emergencies, time is critical, therefore having helicopters on site is important.
“If that helicopter was not available, ground transport to Knoxville is about an hour and a half. It takes about 23-25 minutes by helicopter, less than half the time of what it would take to drive it,”said Jenkins. “Going to Lexington is two and a half hours by ground and by air it’s right at an hour.”
Another way the helicopters are more beneficial than ground transportation is the amount of supplies readily available.
“The ground ambulance is limited,” continued Jenkins. “The helicopter is stocked just like an emergency room.”
Jenkins said Bell County is fortunate to have these services available on a daily basis.
“We are very blessed to have so many resources,” said Jenkins.
Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205, rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com.
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