Fixed-wing air ambulance coming to Washakie County

WORLAND — Worland is getting a new air ambulance service.

Washakie County Commissioners went forward Tuesday with a three year, $25,000 contract with Guardian Flight, a subsidiary of Air Medical Resources Group. The county switched from using EagleMed (now Reach) to Guardian Flight, a subsidiary of the Air Medical Resources Group.

The contract with EagleMed ends this month.

Commissioners approved the switch for a number of reasons, but most importantly, the commission made the change to Guardian Flight because the company intends to build a fixed-wing air ambulance base.

Helicopter flights will be based out of Riverton. EagleMed flights were based out of Cody, but Air Medical Resources Group Vice President of Development Shanon Pollock said the change shouldn’t be noticeable as Worland is about the same distance from Cody as it is Riverton.

Unlike the EagleMed contract, all Washakie County residents will be covered by the Guardian Flight contract, including those who do not have health insurance. Residents will be covered 100 percent when transported by Guardian Flight in any Guardian Flight coverage area.

Pollock said that Guardian Flight has been looking at Worland as a base for the past few years.

“This area has been on our list as a location we really need as a medical asset for a very long time. So, we patiently waited for the previous year,” Pollock said. Guardian Flight currently has bases in Lander, Gillette and Riverton.

As a part of the service, Guardian Flight will fly patients being served at Washakie Medical Center in Worland to other hospitals around the nation.

Washakie County Commission Chairman Aaron Anderson said the change complements the Washakie Medical Center renovations which are currently underway.

Anderson also credited EagleMed for their year of service in Washakie County, but said that Guardian Flight is simply better for the county.

Pollock added that he is excited to see Guardian Flight serve Washakie County for many years to come.

Guardian Flight has 120 days to construct a base at the Worland Municipal Airport.