Video: Air Methods and North MS Medical Center Expand Emergency Air Service

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) -Northeast Mississippi residents now have better access to air medical services.

NMMC and Air Methods have reached an agreement to expand medical air service. The expansion means a new base in the Golden Triangle

Currently, NMMC and Air Methods have based in Tupelo and Winona. The new service means two more helicopters will be added for coverage in Northeast and East Mississippi. Experts say the expansion of air medical services allows flight crews to reach patients quicker and get them to a hospital promptly.

“We can go to the scene and stabilize a patient, we can go to hospitals that have lesser resources maybe then some of our other hospitals they will be going, basically stabilize the patient and get them to definitive care.”

The deal does not mean Golden Triangle and Central Mississippi patients will automatically be flown to Tupelo.

Flight crews will determine the closest hospital that can treat the patient even if its not in the NMMC system.

The expanded medical air service should be up and running by April of 2016.