Sylacauga, AL – The Life Saver emergency air medical program commemorated 45 years of service to Alabama with a special anniversary event held Wednesday, May 13, at its Sylacauga base. The celebration brought together approximately 75 guests, including healthcare partners, current and former crew members, former patients, and community supporters.
Founded by Dr. Robert Carraway, Life Saver was established as Alabama’s first air medical program and has spent more than four decades providing emergency critical care transportation across the state.
During the event, Carraway reflected on the program’s beginnings and the challenges of creating an air medical service in Alabama during the late 1970s.
“There was no manual [for starting an air medical program], we had to figure it out,” Carraway said. “The Lord said to me, ‘Save lives in Alabama,’ so those were my marching orders. I went out and hired the best pilots and clinicians and trained them to do lifesaving procedures in the grass and the dirt of rural Alabama. We took the trauma center to the patient.”
Guests were able to tour two helicopters, including the base’s new Bell 407 aircraft, while learning about the technology and medical capabilities used by Life Saver crews. The helicopters operate as flying intensive care units staffed by highly trained clinicians who respond to trauma incidents, cardiac emergencies, strokes, and other critical medical situations.
The program also highlighted the impact of air medical transport through stories shared by former patients. Among them was 21-year-old Collin Long, who was seriously injured last summer in a side-by-side rollover accident at an Auburn-area golf course. Long suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and broken ribs. During his transport to UAB Hospital, he was intubated and received blood while in flight.
“I am forever grateful for Life Saver. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in a position to know what I need to do to save other people,” Long said. “Sometimes you have to go through tragedies to be able to see what you were put here for.”
Long said the experience inspired him to pursue a future in medicine, with plans to attend medical school after completing his bachelor’s degree.
Life Saver currently operates rotor wing bases in Sylacauga, Cusseta, and Evergreen. Alongside its sister program, USA SouthFlight in Semmes, the service provides emergency air medical coverage across Alabama through scene response and interfacility transport operations.
Brent Wilson, area manager for Air Methods, spoke about the continued evolution of the program and the company’s investment in advancing patient care.
“People tell us, ‘When I see Life Saver come in, I know I’m getting the best of the best,’” Wilson said. “Even though a lot has changed over the years, we are still doing great things for our patients, and Air Methods has invested millions into technology and advancements in patient care.”
Life Saver is part of Air Methods, a national emergency air medical provider that serves communities across the country. According to the organization, the program remains committed to providing emergency air medical services regardless of a patient’s insurance status while offering advocacy programs designed to assist patients with affordability concerns.
