Air Evac to Operate From Ohio County Airport
By SHELLEY HANSON
POSTED: June 11, 2008
An emergency medical helicopter company that specializes in servicing rural communities is scheduled to start operating at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport on July 1.
The Ohio County Commission on Monday approved a month-to-month lease agreement with Missouri-based Air Evac Lifeteam to operate from the airport. Airport Manager Tom Tominack said the private company also has a local base in East Liverpool.
The airport operation will consist of 13 medical personnel including nurses, paramedics and four pilots. Tominack said the $1,050 monthly lease includes an office, space to house crew members and a hangar to store the helicopter and conduct maintenance. The company will operate 24 hours a day.
During the meeting, Air Evac Program Director Matt Handley, a native of Chester, said the company eventually may operate from leased land owned by Wheeling Hospital.
Wheeling Hospital spokesman Gregg Warren said later he did not know the status of negotiations with Air Evac.
‘‘It’s something we’re looking at. No deal has been struck,’’ Warren said.
The company, Handley said, was contacted by Wheeling Hospital officials who expressed an interest in using their services. Handley said the hospital is considering building a six-story tower for emergency services with a new helipad on top in a few years. Warren said the hospital is exploring a variety of expansion ideas, but he noted leasing helipad space could occur without adding onto the facility.
Air Evac was established in 1985 to serve mainly rural areas. Though Wheeling is urban, Handley said, it is surrounded by much countryside — a perfect fit for Air Evac.
‘‘This is sure to be a welcome addition to the Ohio Valley,’’ said Commissioner Tim McCormick. ‘‘This is not a competitive thing. They are going to take care of the needs of the people of the Ohio Valley.’’
Tominack said Air Evac will purchase its jet fuel from the airport and provide emergency services there if needed. Airport jet fuel typically costs $5.45 per gallon, but Air Evac will receive a base discount.
In other matters, the commission also approved accepting a $111,240 Federal Aviation Administration grant for the airport to use to rehabilitate an access road. The commission approved paying Walters Construction $97,600 to do the access road’s concrete work and paying Kelly Paving $15,045 for access road paving work.
The commission approved the following hotel-motel tax fund appropriations: Debbie Green race, $500; Family Services senior picnic, $1,000; Ohio County 4-H, $1,000; Ohio County Country Fair, $14,000; Pinto challenge, $1,000; Vintage Raceboat Regatta, $1,000; and Super Six, $12,000.
