The Working Together, Saving Lives program was established by Air Evac Lifeteam, a rural provider of air ambulance services, as a means to recognize EMS agencies that go above and beyond the call of duty to take care of their patients and the communities they serve.

HCCAS was presented a plaque by Air Evac Lifeteam personnel Thursday afternoon.

Air Evac Lifeteam Area Manager Jason Ingram said he is very pleased HCCAS has been chosen for this honor.

“I’ve been familiar with the work of HCCAS for many years and they are one of the most professional group of individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” Ingram said. “Their commitment to the community is unrivaled, and their endeavors are for the good of the citizens they service.

“This agency has worked closely with Air Evac Lifeteam crew since the opening of our base her in Hopkinsville, recognizing the important role an air ambulance can play in the lives of their patients,” he added. “I am proud to have the relationship we share with them.”

Hopkinsville-Christian County Ambulance Service was formed in 1975 when the Hopkinsville Fire Department took over ambulance operations from Christian County. At that time the service included a full-time BLS (Basic Life Support) crew in Hopkinsville and two part-time BLS crews in Crofton and Oak Grove. In September of 1995, the agency became a full-time ALS (Advanced Life Support) services, and today operates two full-time crews in Hopkinsville and one in Oak Grove. They employ 17 paramedics and operate seven ALS trucks, covering approximately 820 square miles. They make more than 4,500 emergency runs per year.

In 2001 HCCAS organized the Christian County First Responder Program and currently has five volunteer fire departments actively participating. The HCCAS EMS Training Facility provides EMT and paramedic training programs, as well as continuing education for the Christian County service area.

The HCCAS logo is symbolized on a coin that will be distributed to other emergency personnel throughout the Air Evac Lifeteam service area who go above and beyond the call of duty on specific patient cases. Each of Air Evac Lifeteam’s 60 bases throughout the central United States will be distributing the coins to key players during the month of March. A new EMS agency from somewhere in Air Evac Lifeteam’s service area will be recognized and symbolized on a new coin each month.

“The Working Together, Saving Lives program” is a way for our company to recognize the team effort we all play in the lives of our patients,” said Air Evac Lifeteam Vice President of Operations Seth Myers. “It takes the efforts of many, from first responders, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel to emergency department staff and physicians, to provide the level of the care the patients we serve need and deserve.”

Air Evac Lifeteam is an air ambulance service dedicated to providing rural communities throughout the central United States with increased access to emergency health care. The company’s business philosophy is based on the belief that air ambulances should be placed in areas of greatest need – rural communities that are often hours away from lifesaving trauma care. The company operates 60 bases in 11 states.