SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Patients needing emergency air medical transport across central Alabama now have greater access to advanced care. Earlier this year, Life Saver introduced new Bell 407 helicopters at its three bases in Sylacauga, Evergreen, and Cusseta.
The upgraded aircraft are part of Air Methods’ fleet modernization effort and include enhanced avionics, safety systems, and autopilot technology. Several helicopters also feature exterior scene lighting and redesigned interiors that improve patient access.
Life Saver said the Bell 407’s wide bi-fold door allows stretchers to be loaded on a level plane, helping maintain spinal alignment and patient stability. The cabin layout also gives clinicians greater maneuverability for advanced airway management and other in-flight procedures.
The helicopters function as flying intensive care units (ICUs) and carry equipment and medications used to treat trauma, cardiac, and stroke patients, along with pediatric, neonatal, and high-risk obstetric cases. Each aircraft also carries blood for transfusions and a mechanical CPR device capable of delivering chest compressions during flight.
Air Methods said it participates in the Ground and Air Medical Quality Transport quality collaborative, which tracks outcomes from medical transport programs worldwide. The company reported maintaining clinical performance scores rated excellent and exceeding industry averages across multiple measures. Air Methods also cited research showing improved recovery outcomes, shorter hospital stays, and lower costs for some transported patients. The company said emergency transports are treated as in-network under federal law.
