Apollo MedFlight launches air flight base for emergency transportation in Dalhart area
The establishment of Apollo MedFlight's new air ambulance base in Dalhart is allowing for more rapid response emergency transport services to residents throughout Dallam and Hartley counties.
"Our company is based out of Amarillo; it began about 10 years ago," said Apollo MedFlight Regional Business Development Manager, Dean McFadden. "We have bases in Amarillo, Borger, and Guymon, Oklahoma, and the addition of this base helps us to complete the coverage of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle as well as eastern New Mexico, southern Kansas, and the south eastern region of Colorado."
Established in 2011 and one of only 175 organizations accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, Apollo MedFlight is the leading air ambulance service in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.
The complimentary one-year memberships went into effect Oct. 1 and cover every resident who lives within Dallam and Hartley counties. Apollo has also entered into a partnership with the Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District, to better provide emergency services.
During the partnership, Apollo’s Bell 407 helicopter will be stationed at the Dalhart base and will be supported by the rest of Apollo’s regional fleet, which includes two planes, two helicopters, and several backup aircraft. On average, each aircraft flies at a rate of 160 mph. Every Apollo aircraft is equipped similarly to an ICU/CCU with state-of-the-art medical technology.
According to McFadden, the aircraft emergency service team is trained to be in the air within 12 minutes of receiving a call. On average, the flight time previous to the installment of the base was 45 minutes to the Dalhart area; now with the new base, within 25 to 30 minutes, patients can be at an area hospital.
"This allows us to better serve our rural citizens in need. For any kind of major medical or trauma emergencies, time is of the essence and can be the difference in a life. Previously these individuals would have to drive or wait longer for air transportation, so this new base is truly a lifesaving measure for the area," McFadden said.
In addition to the new partnership, Dallam and Hartley counties also passed a bill providing a membership benefit for all residents that ensures financial coverage for Apollo services.
Brandon Leasure, Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development, said in a news release: "Apollo is incredibly proud to partner with Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District and grateful for the commitment by Dallam and Hartley Counties to provide a benefit that ensures financial peace of mind for their residents ... This is something that will benefit the entire region, which is why we have partnered with Dallam and Hartley counties to provide memberships to every single resident in those two counties.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Dalhart area gets Apollo MedFlight base for emergency transport
