posted July 01, 2022

Air medical helicopter team returns to provide lifesaving emergency care to Yuma County and beyond 

Yuma, Arizona, July 1, 2022 – A familiar sight is returning to the skies today around Yuma, AZ. TriState CareFlight is back, bringing a helicopter for air medical services to Yuma County and beyond.  

For over 20 years, a TriState CareFlight helicopter served the Yuma community, and this trusted resource is now back. This base, which opened on July 1, 2022, is part of Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the United States. It will offer the community critical care and transport in emergency situations, as well as interfacility transport when patients need to move between hospitals for specialized care. 

“We are known in this community and are thrilled to be back,” said Account Executive Valerie Yevzerova. “It feels like we never left.” 

TriState CareFlight is the only crew in Yuma County to carry blood on board its aircraft, allowing for in-flight administration to patients suffering from severe blood loss or at risk of hemorrhagic shock. The base is located at Yuma International Airport at 3523 S. Fortuna Ave. The air ambulance helicopter is a Bell 407 staffed with industry-leading trauma clinicians. Additionally, the crew will partner with soldiers at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground to conduct mock drills, benefiting both organizations with additional ongoing training. 

“Much of our clinical staff live in Yuma, and they want to see the community healthy,” said Clinical Base Lead Josh Buckingham. “They want the same care they provide for their own families given to everyone in the community. They choose to do this so families can sit and eat together again, so a dad can hold his child again, so significant others can embrace each other again with lasting happiness. This community is our family.” 

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities they serve. Their average out-of-pocket patient cost per flight in Yuma County is less than $128, and they have secured in-network agreements with Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and more than 30 additional health insurance companies. In addition, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability. 

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About Air Methods 

Air Methods (airmethods.com) is the leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year. With nearly 40 years of air medical experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft is the Company’s products division specializing in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased, or maintained aircraft features more than 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.  

For interviews in English and Spanish, contact:  

Denisse Coffman 

Vice President of Corporate Communications 

Air Methods Corporation 

 

720-666-8499