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• Life Link III closes New Richmond base

Life Link III closed its helicopter base in New Richmond Wednesday.

The helicopter has provided medical transportation for patients in western Wisconsin since 2005. The decision to close the base was made due to the shifting needs of the areas served.

The service will continue to operate bases in Rice Lake; Blaine, Minn.; Hutchinson, Minn.; St. Cloud, Minn.; and Hibbing, Minn. Patients and healthcare providers in the western Wisconsin area will not be left without access to air medical transport services, according to LifeLink officials.

As part of its response to the changing needs of the area, Life Link III will reposition its Eden Prairie helicopter base to the Anoka County airport in Blaine, Minn. From this location, patients in western Wisconsin will have continued rapid access to emergency care.

The difference in response time is minimal and will not adversely affect patients, according to a LifeLink press release. Additionally, Life Link III will be able to provide rapid transport for patients in the north metro area and along Interstate 35.

"The decision to make this change in our operation was not made lightly," said Stacy Brewers, Life Link III's director of Flight Services. "We have closely examined our demand for services and feel we can most effectively meet the needs of the most patients through these operational adjustments."

Life Link III continually evaluates its helicopter operations to ensure it can best meet the transport needs of the western Wisconsin area, according to the press release. The focus of the company remains on providing rapid access to emergency care for patients who require it, officials said. For a complete story, see this week's New Richmond News.