Arch Air Medical locates here

Without much fanfare or commotion, Arch Air Medical Service moved its base from Cape Girardeau to Farmington last week.

Arch will operate its air ambulance helicopter from a hangar at the regional airport. Offices and hangar space has been leased from Air Choice One, who holds a long-term lease on an enclosed hangar at the airport.

A spokesman for Arch said the company — based in St. Louis and operating 10 bases throughout Missouri, Illinois and Kansas — made the move to Farmington based on what was perceived as a growing need in Farmington and an lessening volume of calls in Cape Girardeau.

“With two (larger) hospitals there they keep more (patients) than they ship out,” said Bob Abrams, company spokesman. “We thought it was a natural move.” Abrams said the company continues to see a growth in calls to the St. Francois County and surrounding region, even with another air ambulance service already located south of Farmington.

The company had apparently been considering the move for about eight months. The helicopter arrived, as well as a couple trucks with office furniture and paperwork, on June 18.

The base will operate with pilots working 12 shifts, along with medics and nurses. The service will also have a full-time mechanic on hand. The helicopter being used is a new AStar B2 model. Abrams says the aircraft can do nearly as much as larger dual engine helicopters. He says the aircraft has a record of being “fast and safe”.

Arch will be purchasing fuel from the regional airport. As of June 18, Abrams said a formal open house for the new base location would likely happen sometime in July.

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