Fernley Welcomes New Medical Helicopter Base, Revolutionizing Emergency Medical Care in Northern Nevada

Fernley residents and tourists alike are about to experience a new era in emergency medical care. The North Lyon Fire Protection District and the Rural Medevac Alliance/Battle Born Medevac have joined forces to launch a medical helicopter base at North Lyon Fire Station 61 in Fernley, marking a significant investment in emergency medical services for the region. This innovative partnership aims to provide the highest level of emergency medical care to the community by leveraging strong partnerships and leveraging technology to reduce response times and ensure critically ill and injured patients receive faster access to definitive medical care.

According to a press release from North Lyon Fire, the medical helicopter base will be positioned along the Interstate 80 corridor, ensuring quick responses throughout Lyon, Churchill, Storey, Pershing, and eastern Washoe counties. Fernley's central location will also enable the aircraft to respond rapidly to emergencies in Pyramid Lake, Gerlach, Lovelock, and surrounding areas. The helicopter will serve as a regional asset, allowing it to be deployed on other air medical transports, but it will be unavailable to transport Fernley patients in such cases. However, this setup will greatly improve aircraft availability and response times, as previously the closest available helicopter was often 20 to 25 minutes away.

Joey Loehner, Chief Executive Officer of Battle Born Medevac, explained that the Fernley base will enable the organization to significantly reduce delay times for critically injured or ill patients. According to Loehner, average flight time from Fernley to Reno is about 12 minutes, allowing patients to receive definitive care much sooner. This new medical helicopter base will also provide advanced critical care interventions, specialized equipment, and whole blood products, capabilities that are generally unavailable through traditional ground ambulance transport. Such capabilities will be especially crucial for patients requiring critical care, which may not be readily available on ground ambulances. The base represents a vital investment in emergency medical services for Northern Nevada, with Loehner stating that it signifies the beginning of an exciting future for emergency medical care in the region.

The partnership between North Lyon Fire and Battle Born Medevac represents a long-term goal to ensure stable and fast access to healthcare along the I-80 corridor. Through this collaboration, the two organizations plan to conduct joint training, coordinated community outreach, and future collaboration aimed at strengthening emergency medical services. By working together, North Lyon Fire and Battle Born Medevac aim to strengthen relationships between their crews, improve service to the communities they protect, and provide better outcomes for critically ill and injured patients. Both agencies view this partnership as a true partnership, with co-location at Station 61 allowing them to train together more frequently and strengthen their relationships.

Residents of Fernley and Lyon County can enjoy free Battle Born Medevac air transport coverage for medically necessary air transport services provided by Battle Born Medevac, courtesy of a Rural Medevac Alliance membership. This unique arrangement will run through May 31, 2029, making it easier for patients to access essential medical care in a timely and efficient manner. The benefits of this partnership will be far-reaching, and it will undoubtedly revolutionize emergency medical care in Northern Nevada, providing a safer and more efficient service for residents and tourists alike.

Looking ahead, this partnership signifies a significant shift in emergency medical care for Northern Nevada. By combining resources and expertise, North Lyon Fire and Battle Born Medevac are creating a safer, more efficient, and more effective system for providing emergency medical care. This partnership will pave the way for other innovative solutions, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and a reduced burden on local healthcare systems. In summary, the launch of the medical helicopter base in Fernley marks a new era in emergency medical care in Northern Nevada, one that will undoubtedly have a lasting and positive impact on the community.