Air Evac Sets Sights On Johnson County Quorum Court Hears Report From Hospital, Medflight Personnel
by Janice Penix
Representatives from Air Evac and Johnson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) told members of the Johnson County Quorum Court on Thursday they are collaborating to relocate the air ambulance service from Logan County to Johnson County.
Air Evac operates more than 150 helicopter air ambulance bases in 18 states. The company has maintained a base in Paris since 2001, according to Program Director Chris White, but is looking to move to Johnson County at a location in close proximity to JRMC.
The company was founded in 1985 in West Plains, Mo., to provide air medical transportation and to help ensure access to emergency health care for the remote community in the Missouri Ozarks. Currently, Air Evac is part of Global Medical Response, an industry-leading medical transportation company with both air and ground resources.
Regional Director Francis Lewis said Air Evac’s base facility includes a modular office building which could be moved to Clarksville, as well as a hangar and helipad, which would not be moved. Instead, both would be constructed at the new site. He said while the company can construct and own the new infrastructure, another option would be for the county to construct the facility and lease it to Air Evac.
Tommy Hobbs, JRMC CEO, said the hospital and Air Evac have been in discussions for some time regarding the relocation of its Paris base to Clarksville.
“From a patient care point of view, it’s a great idea,” Hobbs said. “But the hospital doesn’t own any of the property.”
The county owns the JRMC property and provides a percentage of its funding through a millage.
Justice of the Peace John Payne, who chaired Thursday’s meeting in the absence of County Judge Herman Houston, said he believes the company would be a positive addition to Johnson County.
“Personally, I think it looks like a win-win for us to have them here,” Payne said.
Houston will negotiate with Air Evac and JRMC regarding the property and operations, Payne told the Court, and will bring more information back to members regarding potential decisions they will need to make.
In addition to Hobbs, JRMC personnel who attended Thursday’s meeting in support of the collaboration included David Grovdahl, EMS director; Mike Helms, emergency department unit director; and Dr. Brian Cotner, emergency department medical director…
The full story appears in the Aug. 27 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
