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Suwannee County approves Air Methods partnership to add air-medical flights and training
Summary
The board approved an agreement with Air Methods LLC to station a flight program serving Suwannee County, including placing county paramedics on the aircraft, initial county contingency funding for three new positions and a 5–0 vote to adopt the agreement.
Suwannee County commissioners voted unanimously May 20 to approve an air medical services and support agreement with Air Methods LLC that will place county paramedics on Air Methods aircraft and expand local emergency medical transport capability.
Chief Miller presented the agreement and said the program is a joint partnership that will pair Suwannee County paramedics with Air Methods nurses and pilots. He described training benefits for all county paramedics and said the county would fund three positions from contingency through Sept. 30; the flight contract is expected to sustain the program after that date.
“It’s our people treating our citizens…from here to the hospital bed no matter where that is,” Chief Miller said. He also stated during discussion that “there is no county tax dollars going towards it” once the program becomes self‑sustaining and that Suwannee County will not purchase a helicopter.
Zackery Nicholson, regional business director for Air Methods’ Southeast region and a Suwannee County resident, said the company has operated similar partnerships in Florida and nationwide and described the program as “bringing a flying ICU right to the bedside.”
Commissioners asked whether the arrangement began at the county’s initiative or came from Air Methods; Chief Miller said it was mutual after contacts at a conference. Commissioners also asked about comparable programs in other Florida counties; Chief Miller and Nicholson cited St. Lucie and Walton counties as examples and reported no widespread problems in their research.
Action: Commissioner White moved to adopt the air medical services agreement; Commissioner Perkins seconded. The motion passed 5–0.
Why it matters: The program aims to expand advanced pre‑hospital care and provide training for county medics. The county’s initial fiscal impact is to move funds from contingency for three positions through the fiscal year; the chief said the contract will cover those positions thereafter.
