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The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation and Life Flight Network have reached an agreement to operate an air ambulance on Hawaii Island.

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in enhancing emergency medical services,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a press release. “This is an amazing opportunity that will add life-saving capacity across our island, especially in our rural areas.

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“We want to mahalo the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation for their immense contributions to public safety on Hawaii Island, and we welcome Life Flight Network as an important partner for emergency response.”

The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation and Life Flight Network recently announced the signing of a letter of intent to expand air medical services in Hawaii. To support this initiative, the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation purchased a twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopter, fully configured as an air ambulance, with donations from philanthropists for Hawaii’s health care needs.

The helicopter, which will be operated by Life Flight Network on Hawaii Island, is currently being manufactured.

Through integration with the county and state emergency response services, this air ambulance will be able to provide direct critical care transport to Oahu from any district on the island, according to the press release.

“The need for emergency air medical transport is constant, and every second counts in a crisis,” Laura Mallery-Sayre, executive director of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, said in the press release. “The primary mission of both our non-profits is to save lives.

“This partnership is about expanding resources to ensure communities across Hawaii Island have access to lifesaving care whenever and wherever it’s needed,” she said. “We sought an organization with an impeccable safety record and a proactive approach to risk mitigation. With Life Flight Network, we found not only a commitment to safety but also a dedication to providing educational opportunities for community members pursuing careers or advancement in this vital field.”

The Airbus H145 is designed for rapid response, equipped with cutting-edge avionics, and offers a spacious cabin optimized for critical care transport. Its versatility and performance in challenging environments make it an ideal solution for providing life-saving medical care across Hawaii’s diverse and remote regions.

As the nation’s largest not-for-profit air medical provider, Life Flight Network has been delivering world-class ICU-level care and transport to the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West for 47 years.

“We are honored to have been selected by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to help strengthen Hawaii’s air medical services and contribute to lives saved,” said Ben Clayton, chief executive officer at Life Flight Network. “We are excited to bring Life Flight Network’s legacy of compassion and lifesaving service to the Island of Hawaii while collaborating with and learning from local health care providers. Together, we can ensure residents and visitors have access to critical care when every second counts.”