Airlift Northwest Opens Orcas Island Base

ORCAS ISLAND, WA — Airlift Northwest expanded its operations this week with the opening of a new satellite helicopter base to better serve patients with serious medical emergencies.

According to UW Medicine, the transport facility started operations Tuesday on Orcas Island. The Airbus H135 helicopter will allow medics to quickly transport critically ill neighbors and visitors off the San Juan Islands.

The aircraft can travel up to 340 miles, with a cruising speed of 156 mph, and is staffed with two nurses and a physician to operate an airborne ICU. UW Medicine estimates Airlift Northwest transports 3,600 patients every year across Washington and four other states.

"As I look at emergency medical services on Orcas Island, there is a very recognizable benefit to having the critical care level of medical services from Airlift Northwest more readily available to our residents and visitors," said Scott Williams, chief of the Orcas Island Fire Department. "This increased availability of a critical care nursing team and the additional medical services they can provide while enroute to our regional emergency departments is of great importance to our patients and reflects the strong support Airlift Northwest has for our community."