Coverage starts with new air medical service
Washakie County enters into three-year contract
November 21, 2015
WORLAND — As of Nov. 17, Washakie County residents have a new air ambulance service.
Washakie County Commissioners approved entering into a three-year, $25,000 contract with Guardian Air Ambulance, a subsidiary of the Air Medical Resource Group (AMRG).
Guardian will provide both fixed-wing and rotary-wing flights.
In order to be covered by the service, someone must only have a Washakie County address, Shanon Pollock, AMRG Vice President of Business Development said.
16-state coverage area
In addition to being covered in Washakie County, Washakie County residents who receive air ambulance services throughout AMRG’s 16-state coverage area will also be covered.
AMRG’s network covers much of the western U.S.
The contract stipulates that Guardian construct a base at Worland Municipal Airport within 120 days of signing. Until the base is completed, Guardian will serve Washakie County from bases in Riverton, Lander and Gillette. Life-flights (rotary-wing transportation) will be based in Riverton.
Washakie County previously had a contract with EagleMed. The commission chose to switch to Guardian because of Guardian’s commitment to building a fixed-wing air base.
Another advantage, Pollock said, is that Washakie County residents are covered throughout Guardian’s 16-state network. Washakie County residents were only covered in Washakie County under the EagleMed contract.
Pollock said there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony upon completion of fixed-wing base in Worland.