[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO AIR EVAC LIFETEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2007

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Air Evac Lifeteam 
in its celebration of National EMS Week.
  The Air Evac Lifeteam serves rural communities and has grown to be 
the largest independently owned and operated membership-based air 
ambulance service in the United States since its creation in 1985. The 
company has transported more than 100,000 patients in need, serving as 
the critical link to improved response time and immediate access to 
medical care facilities for numerous rural communities across 11 
states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, 
Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Illinois. There 
are five operational bases in Illinois located in Effingham, Marion, 
Mt. Vernon, Quincy and Springfield which are strategically positioned 
to serve over forty Illinois counties. Last year the Air Evac Lifeteam 
air lifted over 2000 critical patients to advance medical centers.
  The Air Evac Lifeteam has 1500 employees with significant 
professional education and experience. A registered nurse and paramedic 
are on every mission. Registered nurses average 6 years of critical 
care experience, with a minimum requirement of 3 years experience. 
Paramedics average 10 years of active pre-hospital experience, with a 
minimum requirement of 3 years experience. All medical crew members are 
certified as well. The Air Evac Lifeteam pilots are skilled and 
certified aviators that meet Federal Aviation Authority approval and 
have flown, an average, of more than 5,700 hours.
  The National EMS Week celebration will be held at the Effingham base 
on Thursday, May 24, 2007. There will be a meet and greet of EMS 
Political IDPH Leaders as well as a host of EMS crews, government 
officials, hospital administration and staff, local and regional media, 
plus a variety of Illinois healthcare providers.
  I am pleased to congratulate the Air Evac Lifeteam on its 
accomplishments and its service to the rural communities. I also wish 
the Air Evac Lifeteam well for its week-long celebration and future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________