Emergency Response Helicopter Base Coming to Detroit Lakes

Life Link III on the helipad at Essentia Health – Detroit Lakes (Photo: Business Wire)

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Life Link III has announced that it plans to open a new emergency response helicopter base of operations in Detroit Lakes in spring 2022.

Life Link III operates ten helicopter bases that include Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Rush City, and Willmar in Minnesota, and Marshfield, Rhinelander, and Rice Lake in Wisconsin. The company’s helicopter and airplane services provide on-scene emergency response and inter-facility transport for patients requiring critical care

This new base, which marks the company’s eleventh helicopter base location throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, will provide additional air medical resources with clinical capabilities to support Essentia Health and surrounding communities.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Life Link III to expand access to emergency medical services to everyone in Detroit Lakes, Becker County and our surrounding communities,” said Tanner Goodrich, Essentia’s senior vice president of operations. “In emergency situations, timely access to care can be the difference in life and death. The commitment to access and quality by Essentia Health and Life Link III will improve health outcomes in the communities that we serve.”

The Detroit Lakes base will provide services as a 24/7/365 operation. This base will be located at the Detroit Lakes airport and will feature a hangar, offices, and crew quarters. The establishment of this new base will bring sixteen new career opportunities to the area as well.