Let me start by saying that I am a flight paramedic for LifeNet here in Safford. I am proud of that and would feel confident to have any member of that team care for my family or me and recently had to be the patient when I was flown to Mesa for an illness. It was hard to switch roles and be the patient; I much prefer the provider aspect.

This experience has caused me a great deal of reflection. I wonder if this community realizes how lucky we are to have not just one, but two very capable Air Medical providers in our community: LifeNet and Air Evac. While I do not work for Air Evac, many friends do. We have both been here for several years, and there is enough to keep us all in jobs. They provide an excellent service. We wear different uniforms, but we are all trying to provide the best care we can for the patients with whom we are entrusted. It is a privilege.

Whoever developed the PHI Cares insurance is a marketing genius. I really wish LifeNet provided something similar. LifeNet's niche is community outreach and involvement. Anyone who has been around will know how true that is. It spends thousands of dollars per year helping this community and never seeks praise or recognition; that is not its philosophy.

I have been very frustrated with how cutthroat this air medical business is, though, and I feel the need to defend LifeNet. I have had many people ask recently, when they find out what I do, which air company I work for. I grow tired of hearing how someone from Air Evac told them how unprofessional or unsafe LifeNet is. Don't sell yourself by tearing down the others; just build on your own strengths. I have even been the brunt of offensive comments from a few current and former employees of Air Evac. LifeNet is a great company, and I am proud to be an employee. I have flown for the better part of 13 years. It is a safe and efficient company. We are on the same team and need to get along, but even a supervisor from Air Evac recently told me there was "no need to get along with you guys!" Why must we be underhanded and rude? No one provider is perfect — none. But both of us are trying to provide the same level of care. Remember the old adage: "When you are pointing a finger, there are several pointing back at you."

I hope this community knows how lucky we are to have two providers that are here to enhance, not hurt, the local community. We do not fish for flights; we are never allowed to determine who needs to fly. It is entirely at the discretion of the hospital or the EMS crews, and we only respond when they call us. And when we are called, we will all give a high level of service and care for both the patient and their families.

Randall Morris

Thatcher

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 |   |   |   |   |