About
Airlift Northwest
Critical Care
in the Air…Since 1982
Airlift Northwest began when a tragic house fire in Sitka,
Alaska claimed the lives of three children before they
could be safely transported by air to a regional burn center
for care. Dr. Michael Copass, Airlift Northwest President
and Medical Director, was teaching in the Sitka hospital
that day and was called into the local emergency room to
help care for the children. "I came away from it saying
that was the last time any doctor would have to get on
the phone and beg someone to come and pick up a child,''
said Copass. He returned to Seattle, determined to find
a way to provide air medical transport for residents in
Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Airlift Northwest was
born.
Airlift Northwest has safely cared for more than 55,000
patients since 1982…more than 250,000 takeoffs and
landings since the program began. Our uncompromising commitment
to safety has seen Airlift Northwest invest in some of the
most up-to-date equipment available, including state-of-the-art
night vision goggles, satellite tracking and communications,
and GPS approach systems.
Responding to our Community
Airlift Northwest responds from one of six bases located
strategically throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
With helicopters based in Bellingham, Arlington, Seattle
and Olympia, Airlift Northwest teams arrive within minutes
to sites throughout Washington. Airplanes based in Juneau and Seattle enable Airlift Northwest
to provide timely air medical transport services to a much
broader region, including any location in the continental
United States, Canada or Mexico.
Airlift Northwest Service
Airlift Northwest provides air medical service for one of
the largest and most geographically varied service areas
in the world—from isolated islands in Alaska to coastal
villages in Western Washington and the high-desert communities
in Eastern Washington. We meet and exceed all standards
of care for air medical services and are accredited by
the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services,
the “gold standard” in air medical transport.
Our aviation partners—Air Methods Corporation and Executive
Flight, Inc.—provide all aviation services and the
expert pilots and mechanics to keep us all safe.
VISION STATEMENT
To be the preeminent provider of air medical
services in the communities we serve.
MISSION STATEMENT
Airlift Northwest is dedicated to providing
safe, efficient air medical
care to critically ill and injured infants, children and
adults.
CORE VALUES
Safety
Airlift Northwest views safety as our primary responsibility.
Clinical Excellence
Airlift Northwest is committed to clinical excellence and emphasizes experience
and education in our staff.
Access
Airlift Northwest provides the fastest possible access to appropriate medical
care in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.
Respect
Airlift Northwest staff treats all people with personal and professional respect.
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