Tubac medical helicopter flights halted

Special to the Green Valley News

The Tubac-based LifetNet medical helicopter stopped flying Feb. 20, and crew members were reassigned to other bases in Arizona.

The helicopter had been based in Tubac since July 1, 2007.

“The call volume wasn’t there” to justify the helicopter in Tubac, said LifeNet Arizona program director Rick Weiler. He attributed the drop in calls to the downturn in the economy and fewer winter visitors in Santa Cruz County. He also said Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales had a contract with a new helicopter company that started flying Nov. 1.

Weiler wouldn’t disclose the number of medical calls LifeNet has handled in recent months.

In a November article in the Nogales International, Med-Trans Corp. representatives said the hospital base is affiliated with the Arizona LifeLine programs in Tucson and Douglas. The firm operates a Bell 407 helicopter equipped with the Night Vision Goggle system, “regarded as one of the most reliable helicopters in the air medical industry,” a spokesman said.

Arizona LifeLine has been the provider for Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson for 13 years and services the Carondelet facilities in Southern Arizona.

The LifetNet helicopter that flew out of Tubac was an American Eurocopter with a pilot, critical care nurse and paramedic. It was based southwest of Interstate 19 and the Chavez Siding Road interchange.

Voters in November approved a $15 million bond to fund three new fire stations and a base station for the medical copter and crew. Tubac Fire District Chief Kevin Keeley said he doesn’t think the helicopter facilities will be built now.

“We’ll probably alter the plan,” he said. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

Weiler said if the economy improves and “the numbers justify it,” LifeNet would consider returning to Tubac.

“We’d sure like it to change. We enjoyed being down there and working with the EMS people there,” Weiler said.

The company operates helicopter bases in Marana, Sierra Vista, Willcox, Safford, Douglas and Florence.