Sequim – Clallam County’s new air medical transport service, Life Flight Network, is wasting no time in getting up-and-running.

Based at Fairchild Airport, the company contacted the Port of Port Angeles less than two weeks ago and set an appointment look at the facilities at the airport. They made a deal to lease the property on the spot, announced last week they were setting up shop as soon as possible and now, twelve days later, one helicopter is in place and ready to respond to emergency calls immediately, and a second helicopter is being used to train the pilots on their new routes and the local topography.

On Monday, Clallam District 3 Fire and Rescue teams ran drills with the AW109 twin-engine helicopter, and Port Angeles crews did the same on Tuesday.

Fire Chief Dan Orr says it’s a little different experience from what they’re used to because, unlike Airlift Northwest, Life Flight keeps their rotor spinning during the loading process.

It’s called “Hot Loading” and Life Flight’s Jake Dalstra says there’s a very good reason they do it that way.

Clallam 2 Fire and Rescue Chief Sam Phillips extends that benefit even further.

Clallam 2 firefighters and EMT’s are scheduled to practice with the helicopter on Saturday, March 9 at the airport.

(Photo courtesy of lifeflight.org)