Air Evac Lifeteam opens base in Illinois

Air Evac Lifeteam, a member of the AirMedCare Network, has announced the opening of a new air ambulance base in Jefferson County, which will provide 24-hour coverage across central and southern Illinois.

The base will host an Airbus EC135 single-engine helicopter operated by a dedicated on-site crew and will serve as a backup for the existing Air Evac Lifeteam base at Mount Vernon.

The EC135 is equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turbine engine and has a cruise speed of 260km/h, with a range of 580km and a maximum gross weight of over 2,200kg.

Brian Martinez, Program Director for the new base, said: “This Air Evac base is the first to have an Airbus EC-135 on its certificate.

“The Jefferson County air medical base will serve residents and visitors in central and southern Illinois. This is a regional asset that gives us another safe option and some increased capabilities when other aircraft may be grounded.”