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WILLISTON - Guardian Med Flight/Global Medical Response discontinued its helicopter air medical services on Monday afternoon in Williston, citing operating costs as reason for the closure.
Guardian Med Flight also closed its helicopter base in Devils Lake. Currently, there is no change in operation to its fixed-wing medical aircraft operating out of Sidney, Montana.
Trinity First Response is now the closest air medical helicopter to the Williston region.
Williston Fire Department (WFD) officials said they are disappointed to learn of the closure as it will reduce WFD's ability to coordinate direct scene flights for patients. However, ground ambulance response by WFD will not be compromised because of the closure. WFD will continue coordinating with air medical providers in the greater region to organize air medical transportation of severely ill and injured patients.
Trinity Hospital issued the following statement:
"As a provider of medical transport services for over 30 years, Trinity Health understands the economic challenges faced by all rural healthcare providers as we strive to deliver care amid the reality of declining resources. We share the concerns of Williston and Devils Lake area residents regarding the loss of air transport services, and we are committed to continuing our record of service earned through decades of providing rotor and fixed-wing service to those communities and others across our region. Trinity Health established its Minot-based critical care helicopter in 1992 and has since expanded the service to include fixed-wing services under the banner of Trinity Health First Response."
The statement also said Trinity Health will continue to support the region with emergency flights throughout northwest and north central North Dakota.