Banner Health launches helicopter air ambulance service in Phoenix

PHOENIX — Banner Health on Thursday will launch a helicopter air ambulance service to improve access to critical care for rural communities.

The new service represents a partnership between BannerAir and Global Medical Response and will provide four helicopters that will serve metro Phoenix, Richard Swedbergh, chief operating officer for BannerAir, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s.

Helicopters will also be in Payson, Casa Grande, Sun City West and Queen Creek.

With Banner being the largest health care provider in the state, Swedbergh said, they were well-positioned to try to deliver care outside of the hospitals.

Similar to an ICU, the helicopter will be staffed with a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic, as well as a pilot. On board, there will be equipment suited for trauma and injuries, advanced ventilator systems and medications.

“Minutes can make the difference between a great outcome and a not so great outcome,” Swedbergh said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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