Air Evac Life Team 174 Durant is now based near AllianceHealth hospital, and a ribbon cutting was held last week by the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lisa Cheek, Air Evac director, said that they were previously based at the airport beginning in 2021.
“We were a 12-hour operation, operating from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and then we have now partnered with AllianceHealth Durant,” Cheek said. “We are stationed right here. We are now a 24-hour operation. So, we have a pilot, a critical care nurse and a critical care paramedic on duty 24/7.”
Tammy Lewis, membership sales manager, said memberships in air evac can be purchased that will cover anyone in a household.
“If you have a flight, it’s going to be zero out of pocket,” Lewis said. “It’s going to waive your deductible. It’s going to waive your copay even if your insurance denies that claim which happens about 50 percent of the time. I know you don’t realize that, but it does and if you are a member, it is wrote off 100 percent.
“People just don’t realize how many times you are going to be flown. If you have a gall bladder that is busting and you don’t have a surgeon here, you’re going to be airlifted. It’s that simple.”
Chamber board member Mike Cook said that air evac S10
helicopters are frequently seen going back and forth to Durant.
“Y’all are in the air all the time, and we appreciate that as a community,” Cook said. “This is a great blessing to have y’all here.”
Chamber CEO Kara Byrd expressed appreciation for what air evac does to help those who are in a crisis.
“We know that that’s a hard job and it takes an effect on you guys too just even mentally, so thank you guys for all of the things that you do to help those that need it most and we’re so grateful to have you,” Byrd said.
“Again, the partnership with Alliance and making sure that you guys are here and having critical access to you guys and what you do to serve our community. Thank you again for just who you are, how you serve, and thank you for allowing us to serve you as the chamber. We’re grateful to have you as members.”
Chamber board member Buddy Swicker said that air evac is saving lives.
“You literally give me the goosebumps by the lives you guys save,” Swicker said. “That’s really close to my heart because seconds matter.”
