Commonwealth One Takes Flight

9/1/2014

SCRANTON, Pa. (Sept. 2, 2014) – Commonwealth One, a critical care helicopter serving an 11-county area of Northeastern Pennsylvania, took its maiden flight today. The aircraft lifted off from Seamans Airport, Factoryville, and arrived at Nay Aug Park, Scranton, shortly after 11 a.m.

Commonwealth One, which provides in-flight critical care, is the latest addition to the fleet of advanced and basic life support transport vehicles operated by Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services, the new name of the growing organization.

The name change to Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services was decided by a vote of the Lackawanna/Wayne Ambulance employees, according to Justin Davis, CEO of Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services. Commonwealth Health acquired Lackawanna/Wayne Ambulance in August 2013.

“An overwhelming majority of our employees voted in favor of the name change,” Davis said as he announced the organization’s new name. “I think this shows that Lackawanna and Wayne Ambulance employees have embraced Commonwealth Health and our mission to provide superior care and service. We have worked to continue providing the same compassionate care and hometown values that our community has experienced for the last 15 years.”

In May, Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services introduced the region’s first ground critical care transport unit and a new neonatal intensive care unit. In August, a second critical care transport ambulance was entered into service.

These vehicles will serve the more than 1.1 million people who live in Northeastern Pennsylvania and will respond to other areas when requested.

Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services Fact Sheet

• Commonwealth One, a critical care helicopter stationed at Seamans Airport, Factoryville
• 3 Critical Care Ground Units including two trucks and one Neonatal Intensive Care Unit truck, the first in Northeastern Pennsylvania
• 32 ambulances, 13 wheelchair vans, 6 quick response vehicles, 1 bus
• Critical care transport team includes a pre-hospital registered nurse (PHRN)  and a critical care paramedic
• Brings ER and ICU level capabilities outside of the hospital and provides patients the highest level of care available during transport
• Will be available for 911 scene calls
• Will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Emergencies and conditions include cardiac events, neonatal care, high-risk OB patients, pediatric patients, stroke patients, ventilator-dependent patients
• Services include advanced airway management; surgical airway management; rapid sequence intubation (RSI); advanced transport ventilator management skills; video laryngoscopy; expanded drug formulary; ability to transport blood products; multiple IV infusions; invasive monitoring of the brain, heart and lungs; advanced trauma and cardiac arrest care; administration of specialized medications; needle decompression; intraosseous access
• NICU vehicle features a self-contained neonatal isolette
• Air Methods, Commonwealth Health’s provider, is the global leader in air medical transportation and the first helicopter operator and air medical provider to reach the highest level (Level 4) of the FAA’s voluntary Safety Management System program.
• Schedule a transfer or critical care transport: 1-855-294-9337
   

Back