Life Med to Base in Gilmer County

Life Med, the company that operates life flight helicopter service will locate a helicopter base here in Gilmer County. The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners (BOC), in their regular scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2009 authorized Board Chairman to negotiate a lease with Life Med that will base one of their helicopters and crew at the new Gilmer County Fire Station #1 on Howard Simmons Rd.
Preliminary discussions with Life Med have indicated that the lease will be from 3 to 5 years (with a one year opt out clause). Monthly rent is still in negotiations but will be in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 per month. The County will construct the heli-pad behind the fire station. Life Med will be responsible for providing a maintenance and fueling facility. In addition, the lease will include sharing of quarters at the fire station. Currently, there are 3 “bunk rooms” that are not used.
Commission Chairman, Mark Chastain indicated that “the presence of Life Med in the County should substantially reduce the response time when the helicopter ambulance service is needed”. He further indicated that, “currently response times may be from 16 to 40 minutes with the nearest base in Pickens County.”