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Cherokee Nation paramedics Kyle Murphy and John Richey work to load a patient onto the
St. Francis Life Flight Helicopter.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - A recent emergency call highlighted the need for air ambulance service in rural parts of the Cherokee Nation.

Kyle Murphy and John Richey, Cherokee Nation paramedics, recently called on St. Francis Life Flight to transport a critically ill patient.

"This situation called for a scene flight, meaning we needed the air ambulance to come to our location to transport a patient immediately", said Martin Webb, Cherokee Nation ambulance supervisor. "Our main goal is to transport the patient to a place that can provide more definitive care. In this case, that care was only offered through St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa."

Cherokee Nation utilizes air ambulance services around 30 to 45 times a month. Beginning September 15, Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah City Hospital will partner with Eagle Med to station a permanent air ambulance in Tahlequah.

"Treating patients in the ‘golden hour,’ the first hour after severe injury, is critical to their long term recovery", said Chris Walker, executive director of health for the Cherokee Nation. "With the arrival of Eagle Med into our area, we will see a quicker response time for patients needing transport during the ‘golden hour’ period. Additionally being located in the Tahlequah area will provide opportunities for Cherokee Nation EMS staff to be more involved in life flight type operations."

Currently the Cherokee Nation has four ground ambulances on call, three of which are located in Cherokee County. One ambulance is permanently stationed at the Oaks Volunteer Fire Department.

"The ambulance service at Oaks was greatly needed", Webb said. "People in that area were 28 minutes away from the closest medical facility. Last month alone we ran 50 calls in that area."

"A lot of people think you have to be Native American in order to use our ambulance service", said Rocky Masters, Cherokee Nation emergency medical technician. "That just isn’t true. We will help anyone who needs emergency help, all they have to do is call."

For more information about the Cherokee Nation EMS, call 918-458-5403. For all emergencies call 911.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org