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AIR AMBULANCE Mercy Flights regains Josephine County main-provider status Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 3:58 PM Updated Apr 8, 2015 at 4:43 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 3:58 PM Updated Apr 8, 2015 at 4:43 PM » Social News MERLIN — Less than a month after being designated the main provider of air ambulance service to Josephine County, Oregon Lifeguard has pulled the plug on its new helicopter service based at the Grants Pass Airport. The move solidifies the position of Medford-based Mercy Flights, which has provided service in the county for decades. "The ownership of Classic Lifeguard has decided to relocate the helicopter from Grants Pass to Tillamook," Kai McSwain, the managing director and chief executive officer of Oregon Lifeguard, told the Grants Pass Daily Courier. Oregon Lifeguard is a division of Classic Air Medical, which is based in Utah. "I am resigning next week," McSwain added. He declined to elaborate other than to say he does not agree with the move, which was made Friday by the parent company. The abrupt departure of Oregon Lifeguard ends, at least temporarily, a flap over whether that company or Mercy Flights should be the first to respond to calls for air ambulance service. On March 17, the local 911 Agency adopted a protocol to use the closest available air ambulance for dispatching air ambulances in Josephine County. That meant most calls would first go to Oregon Lifeguard, which was based at the Grants Pass airport in Merlin. Mercy Flights CEO Doug Stewart told the Daily Courier that news of Oregon Lifeguard's exit confirmed rumors he had been hearing for three or four weeks. He said Mercy Flights intends to keeping operating in Josephine County just as it has for more than 60 years. Tony Henderson, chief executive officer of Oregon Lifeguard's parent company Classic Aviation, said the company is relocating its helicopter because "the hospital in Tillamook had a need." He also said that Oregon Lifeguard has had little helicopter business locally. "We haven't had a lot of flights going on there," Henderson said. "Most of the flights have been with our (airplane) and hardly any with our helicopters." He said it's a coincidence that McSwain is resigning on the heels of the decision. "It didn't have anything to do with that," Henderson said of the resignation. Henderson said it's possible the company might one day return to Grants Pass. "If the hospital there really wanted us we would come back," Henderson said. He said he understands that it makes little sense for Three Rivers Medical Center to transport via air ambulance, because patients are usually being transferred just 30 miles to one of two hospitals in Medford. The decision to designate Oregon Lifeguard as the main provider of air ambulance service by virtue of its location was set up on the advice of Martin Hill, the county emergency services medical director. Hill said there is no need for him to change the protocol. "I wrote the protocol with the best patient care in mind," Hill said. "There were no company names in it and there never will be." Oregon Lifeguard set up shop late last year and has seemingly been embroiled in controversy ever since. Some rescue agencies, particularly the Illinois Valley Fire District, were hesitant to sever ties with Mercy Flights. Some questioned the safety record of Oregon Lifeguard's parent company. And others expressed concern over some 1,300 Josephine County residents who already had service agreements with Mercy Flights. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 3:58 PM Updated Apr 8, 2015 at 4:43 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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