Author: admin

CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, June 2, 2023- First responders and park rangers were honored for their quick, professional response when a visitor to Carlsbad Caverns National Park suffered a stroke. 

Employees with the Carlsbad Fire Department and Carlsbad Caverns National Park were recognized in a special ceremony held at 9 a.m. June 2 at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor’s Center. Trans Aero MedEvac hosted the ceremony, which was open to the public. 

According to Mike Buldra, Clinical Services Manager with Trans Aero, the incident took place in April and required an evacuation from the underground at the cave. Carlsbad’s Fire Department was dispatched to the park, where they assisted NPS Rangers with stabilizing the patient.

“Trans Aero is certainly proud of our people and the skills they use every day,” said Kevin Shields, the company’s president. “The cooperative effort between the different entities involved in this is a testament to everyone’s professionalism, and we hope that the patient and their family are doing very well.” 

The patient was then flown to University Medical Center in El Paso by Trans Aero MedEvac. The patient arrived in El Paso within 90 minutes of the onset of their symptoms.

“This was phenomenal care,” Buldra said. “Every minute of delay in providing definitive care increases the damage to the brain.  The goal is to have the patient to advanced care within three hours. This patient was there in half that time, and that was after being evacuated from almost 1,000 feet underground.”

Buldra said such a quick response would not have been possible without the exceptional performance of the NPS Rangers and CFD personnel, along with the critical communication of the REDA Communication Specialist who took the emergency call. 

“In this particular case, thanks to the early recognition of stroke signs by park rangers and first responders, 911 was immediately called and the patient was airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso,” said Carla Escobar, Administrative Director of Neuroscience with the University Medical Center of El Paso. “Ultimately, the quick action by pre-hospital first responders and the stroke team at UMC led to an improved patient outcome.”

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway praised everyone involved in the effort. 

“Our first responders save lives on a daily basis, but this is a perfect example of training and cooperation making a difference in a situation where every second matters. Events of this nature require coordination and facilitation by the entire team. Thanks to the entire staff at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and to all first responders.”  

Individuals assisting with April rescue effort included:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Personnel: 

Heather Hyde, EMTB, Law Enforcement Ranger

Carolyn Elliott, EMTB, Law Enforcement Ranger

Richard “Rick” Taylor, EMR, Park Guide

Carlsbad Fire Department Personnel: 

LT Richard Ramirez, EMT-P

LT Jesse Ramirez, EMT-I

FF Anthony Briceno, EMT-P

Eddy County Fire and Rescue Personnel: 

Battalion Chief: David Watson, EMT-P

Captain: Matthew Dawson EMT-P

Firefighter: Angel Martinez

Firefighter: Taylor Montoya

REDA Dispatchers:

Cristina Vega 

Joah James,

Kirstene Campbell

Megan Headrick 

Trans Aero MedEvac:

Warren Shaulis, Flight Nurse Practitioner

Vanessa Berger, Flight Paramedic

Maximilian Mayr, Pilot

EDDY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO, November 10, 2021- Effective immediately, all residents of Eddy County are automatically enrolled in the Trans Aero Medevac Membership program! 

Provided in collaboration with the city of Artesia, a Trans Aero MedEvac membership ensures that, should an emergency medical transportation flight be necessary, residents’ insurance/third party payment will be accepted with no additional out-of-pocket expense to them. This will only apply to flights operated by Trans Aero MedEvac and will be subject to certain state rules. Limitations may be found at transaeromedevac.org/membership-enrollment.   

The company, which currently has two helicopters based in the county, was founded with a mission to deliver the most advanced patient care in the industry. Consistent with its goal of quality, all aircraft are staffed with an Advanced Practice Provider, as well as a Certified Paramedic. They also carry lifesaving whole blood and liquid plasma, as well as specialized equipment, such as ultrasound and ventilators, to deliver appropriate critical care to all patients. 

Trans Aero MedEvac will be working with local community leadership, hospitals, and fire departments to rapidly spread the message that each citizen of Eddy County now has this benefit.  Information will also be sent out to residents, outlining the advantages they will receive from a membership.  

Charlie Nolen, Assistant Program Director, said of the announcement: “Trans Aero MedEvac is proud to serve the region with the highest level of critical care, and, through this partnership with the city of Artesia, to alleviate the stress typically associated with a post-flight medical bill.” 

Trans Aero MedEvac is an air medical transport company formed in the principals of excellence in aviation safety and clinical medicine. In business since 1966, Trans Aero LTD primarily focused on heli-firefighting activities, as well as contracted helicopter services and maintenance. In 2016, they joined forces with EMSRx, a company known for clinical excellence and support services, to bring a quality focus back to air medicine.  

ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO- Trans Aero MedEvac will introduce its first fixed wing aircraft into its Southeastern New Mexico air ambulance program. Located at the Roswell Airport, the new aircraft will serve its bases in Roswell, Artesia, and Carlsbad, and will extend its transport capabilities to include hospitals previously outside of the range reached by its rotorcraft.

In accordance with its mission to provide the highest quality patient care in air medicine, the fixed wing aircraft will maintain consistency with other Trans Aero MedEvac air ambulances and carry specialized equipment, as well as an Advanced Practice Provider and Certified Paramedic, onboard.

Ken Davis, Medical Program Director, said of the new aircraft: “The addition of a fixed wing component will allow Trans Aero MedEvac to further support our customers and communities we already serve within the Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas region, and transport patients to specialized hospitals that can best aid in their treatment and recovery.”  

Trans Aero MedEvac is an air medical transport company formed in the principals of excellence in aviation safety and clinical medicine. In business since 1969, Trans Aero LTD primarily focused on heli-firefighting activities, as well as contracted helicopter services and maintenance. In 2016, they joined forces with EMSRx, a company known for clinical excellence and support services, to bring a quality focus back to air medicine.

ROSWELL, NM, March 22- Trans Aero MedEvac will open its third base in Southeastern New Mexico. Located on the helipad at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, the new aircraft will join existing bases in Artesia and Carlsbad. 

Founded with a mission to provide advanced patient care, the aircraft will be staffed with an Advanced Practice Provider, as well as Certified Paramedic. Consistent with other Trans Aero MedEvac air ambulances, it will also carry lifesaving whole blood and liquid plasma, as well as specialized equipment, such as ultrasound and ventilators, to deliver appropriate critical care to all patients. 

Ken Davis, Medical Program Director, said of the opening: “This base is a large step forward in providing advanced medical care to the region, and we look forward to collaborating with Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in achieving this common goal.” 

Trans Aero MedEvac is an air medical transport company formed in the principals of excellence in aviation safety and clinical medicine. In business since 1969, Trans Aero LTD primarily focused on heli-firefighting activities, as well as contracted helicopter services and maintenance. In 2016, they joined forces with EMSRx, a company known for clinical excellence and support services, to bring a quality focus back to air medicine.