Sanford AirMed Brings New Aircraft to Dickinson, North Dakota

Emergency responders can now race to people who need them... by air.

Adam Parker is ready for take-off.

"I just like flying," says Adam Parker, Lead Flight Paramedic.

But this isn't your typical ride in an airplane.

Adam has worked for Sanford AirMed as Lead Flight Paramedic for two years.

"I enjoyed, you know, medicine and working as a paramedic and I always enjoyed flying so when you put them together it's been a really great career," says Parker.

A career that continues to grow as Dickinson welcomes the King Air B200 fixed-wing plane...  the newest addition to the Sanford AirMed fleet.

A team of paramedics and nurses are able to provide care in the air to those who are critically ill or injured.

Executive Director Mike Christianson says this is a much needed service out West.

"I feel that there probably has been a hole in this area for a long time as far as air medical services and I think there's just more opportunity for people to fill those gaps. You know, Sanford is dedicated to the work of healing and that's what we're doing," says Mike Christianson, Exec. Director, Sanford AirMed.

The space may look small but it actually has room for two pilots, five crew members, and two beds for two patients.

"We really have a lot of room to move around. We can get to the patient easily and really provide the care that they need quite comfortably," says Parker.

Dickinson doctors also feel fortunate to be provided this opportunity.

"We, as pediatricians, are often caring for very sick patients and sick babies who are premature or have some other problems and often we need to transport them, sometimes very emergently to other specialized facilities," says Marc Ricks, Pediatrician, Dickinson Sanford.

This plane, at 300 miles per hour, will do just that.

"It's very rewarding to be able to help patients in their time of need," says Parker.

And when the time comes, Parker and his crew will be ready.

The Dickinson Sanford aircraft will begin its services on December 15.

Sanford AirMed also flies out of Bismarck, Fargo, Sioux Falls, and Bemidji.

Source:  http://www.kxnet.com