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Originally Released: 03/27/2008

Erlanger Health System Partners with Med-Trans Corporation

Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Erlanger Health System (Erlanger) Board of Trustees voted tonight to partner with Med-Trans Corporation (Med-Trans) to provide components of Erlanger's LIFE FORCE air medical program. Under the proposed arrangement, Med-Trans will acquire the program's two Bell 412 and one Bell 206 L4 helicopters, as well as other selected assets. The partnership is expected to become effective May 2008.

Erlanger's LIFE FORCE will continue the same medical direction, medical staffing and program management structure that it has provided since the program's founding in 1988. LIFE FORCE's 59 employees currently serve communities in Southeast and Middle Tennessee, North Georgia and portions of southwestern North Carolina and northeastern Alabama. Sixteen employees will move to Med-Trans. LIFE FORCE aircraft are located in Sparta, Tennessee; Calhoun, Georgia; and at the Erlanger Baroness Campus on 3rd Street in Chattanooga.

Jim Brexler, Erlanger President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our primary consideration is always providing exceptional patient care. This partnership between Erlanger and Med-Trans preserves that promise. The same LIFE FORCE crews that have provided clinical excellence for almost two decades will continue serving our region's patients and healthcare partners. The clinical staff will remain Erlanger employees, operating under the well-established protocols and respected medical direction. By partnering with Med-Trans, a top-quality and growth-oriented air medical provider with significant aviation-related resources, LIFE FORCE becomes even stronger."

Fred Buttrell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Med-Trans Corporation said, "Erlanger Health System along with their LIFE FORCE air medical program has done a tremendous job of building hospital relationships and servicing EMS systems and communities. LIFE FORCE is recognized as a leader in the air medical industry and the program will continue with that success under the alternative delivery model, which builds on the best capabilities Erlanger and Med-Trans to deliver a top-quality service. Med-Trans has successfully partnered with leading healthcare providers under alternative delivery models since 1995, including through our Wings programs with Mountain States Health Alliance as well as our UT Lifestar program with the University of Tennessee Medical Center."

Erlanger Senior Vice President of Regional Operations and Business Development Roger Forgey said, "Before forming a partnership such as this, we needed assurance that services would continue in a seamless fashion. We are confident this goal will be met and that this is a unique and positive opportunity for Erlanger and our patients."

Forgey added, "Med-Trans shares LIFE FORCE's emphasis on safety and customer service and has a demonstrated ability to partner effectively with leading healthcare providers. As the region's only academic medical center and Level One Trauma Center, Erlanger has high expectations for a partnership such as this, and Med-Trans' reputation fits the bill."

As an example, Forgey pointed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville and their partnership with Med-Trans for the UT Lifestar program, and stated, "UT has nothing but praise for Med-Trans. We certainly gave their recommendation due consideration."

Erlanger Health System is an 818 acute-care bed system comprised of five campuses serving residents living within a 150 mile radius of the flagship facility, Erlanger Baroness Campus, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.. The hospital was founded in 1891, and the system serves residents of Southeastern and Middle Tennessee, North Georgia, northeastern Alabama and southwestern North Carolina. Affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, Erlanger is the only academic medical center, the only Level One Trauma Center, and T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger is the only pediatric healthcare center in the region. In fiscal year 2007, Erlanger had 29,047 inpatient admissions, 265,323 outpatient visits and treated over 26,571 surgical patients.

Med-Trans Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading provider of air ambulance programs in selected locations throughout the United States, focused on establishing partnerships with leading hospital systems, medical centers and EMS agencies to provide customized air medical programs through specialized delivery formats, including alternative delivery models, community based models or traditional hospital-based models. The company's extensive fleet of helicopters delivers teams of highly trained medical and flight professionals to patients requiring emergency medical care and transports the patient to the appropriate medical facility. The company has grown from four to 24 programs over six years, currently operating in ten states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Med-Trans is a subsidiary of Air Medical Group Holdings, a portfolio company of Brockway Moran & Partners and Meridian Venture Partners.

For further information please contact:
Reid Vogel, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Med-Trans Corporation, 701-202-7648 • vogelreid@med-trans.net

Originally Released: 05/12/2008

LIFE FORCE III Now Using Night Vision Technology

Chattanooga, TN - Pilots aboard LIFE FORCE III, based in Calhoun, Georgia, are now using night vision goggle (NVG) technology to reach patients more safely during night time hours.

According to Shawn Miller, pilot and LIFE FORCE director of safety, all LIFE FORCE III pilots have been certified and are now using the ITT 949 devices - the latest and most advanced NVG technology on the market today.

Night vision goggles have been widely used by the U.S. military for years. Just recently have Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) programs, such as LIFE FORCE III, recognized that NVG technology offers many benefits for air ambulance programs and can provide pilots with increased awareness and enhanced safety during their flights.

"This new technology will help our pilots do their jobs more safely when responding to calls during night time hours," says Mr. Miller.

With this new technology in place, LIFE FORCE III pilots, now have the ability to safely land and take-off from challenging landing areas with an added layer of safety by enhancing their awareness of the terrain and alerting them to potential hazards and additional aircraft in the area. In addition, this technology will improve the safety of all patients, crew and people on the ground, as well as other aircraft that may be involved in a rescue.

"The safety of our patients and our crew is the number one priority of LIFE FORCE," says Mr. Miller. "Adding this new technology will help us to continue working towards that goal."

Med-Trans Corp., the Dallas-based company which recently partnered with Erlanger's LIFE FORCE air medical program to manage their aviation operations, has been using NVG technology for almost two years.

Originally Released: 06/14/2007

LIFE FORCE Program Receives $19,000

Chattanooga, Tenn. - On Tuesday, June 12, United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) presented $19,138 in “Safety Bucks” to Erlanger’s air medical program, LIFE FORCE, for continued safety and services.

“Safety Bucks are given in recognition of LIFE FORCE’s commitment to improving safety through professional proficiency training and participation in the Preferred Policyholder Program for Bell helicopter operators,” said Marcia McEvoy with Erlanger’s risk management program. “The money is used to pay for pilot or mechanic training at Bell Helicopter or FlightSafety International, Inc. at any time during the renewal period for (LIFE FORCE’s) policy.”

“You run a Class A shop, and we appreciate your operation and what it means to us,” said Vice President and Manager of United States Aviation Underwriters Incorporated, Larry Sneed, to the LIFE FORCE Crew during the presentation.

Not every air ambulance team in the USAIG Preferred Policyholder Program is qualified for the Safety Bucks program. Qualification for the reward is based on operating a well-maintained facility and participating in pilot and maintenance training programs.

“Through our 18 year partnership with USAIG, we have safely transported more than 23,000 patients,” said Steve Straughen, Director of LIFE FORCE Air Medical. “With safety at its core, the USAIG’s Safety Bucks program has significantly contributed to our success by investing in LIFE FORCE pilot and mechanic training. We look forward to a continued partnership based on safety, service and community.”

Picture Caption: From Left to Right: Mark Chestnut, president and CEO of AGA; John Green, vice president of Associated General Agency, Inc.; LIFE FORCE pilot Mike Ryan; director of LIFE FORCE Steve Straughen receiving “Safety Bucks” from Larry Sneed, vice president and manager of United States Aviation Underwriters Incorporated; LIFE FORCE flight paramedic Craig McDonald and flight nurse Troy Holder.


Picture Caption: From Left to Right: Mark Chestnut, president and CEO of AGA; John Green, vice president of Associated General Agency, Inc.; LIFE FORCE pilot Mike Ryan; director of LIFE FORCE Steve Straughen receiving “Safety Bucks” from Larry Sneed, vice president and manager of United States Aviation Underwriters Incorporated; LIFE FORCE flight paramedic Craig McDonald and flight nurse Troy Holder.

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