Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation Signs Letter of Intent with Life Flight Network for Expanded Air Medical Services in Hawai'i

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, Inc. has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Life Flight Network, LLC to expand air medical services in Hawai'i. This collaboration represents a significant step toward enhancing emergency medical response and ensuring critically ill and injured patients have access to timely, lifesaving care.

To support this initiative, the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation has collaborated with key donors to bring a new Airbus H145 helicopter to the County of Hawai'i, fully configured as an air ambulance. Over the past year and a half, the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation has engaged consultants and explored air ambulance companies to operate the Airbus H145 helicopter. After significant due diligence, and ensuring mission and cultural alignment, Life Flight Network was chosen to take the vital next steps towards operationalizing the program.

"The need for emergency air medical transport is constant, and every second counts in a crisis," said Laura Mallery-Sayre, Executive Director of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. "The primary mission of both our non-profits is to save lives. This partnership is about expanding resources to ensure communities across Hawai'i Island have access to lifesaving care whenever and wherever it's needed. We sought an organization with an impeccable safety record and a proactive approach to risk mitigation. With Life Flight Network, we found not only a commitment to safety but also a dedication to providing educational opportunities for community members pursuing careers or advancement in this vital field."

As the nation's largest not-for-profit air medical provider, Life Flight Network has been delivering world-class ICU-level care and transport to the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West for 47 years. With nearly 900 employees, Life Flight Network has proven their commitment to keeping safety, quality, and clinical excellence at the forefront of their operations. The organization aims to be representative of the communities it serves and looks forward to employing members of the local workforce who share a passion for critical care, aviation, and making a life-saving difference in their communities.

In addition to providing critical air medical transport, Life Flight Network will bring their membership program to the residents and visitors of Hawaii. For a nominal annual fee, members, their spouse or domestic partner, and any dependents living at home, will have financial peace of mind knowing they won't face out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary flights.

"We are honored to have been selected by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to help strengthen Hawai'i's air medical services and contribute to lives saved," said Ben Clayton, Chief Executive Officer at Life Flight Network. "We are excited to bring Life Flight Network's legacy of compassion and lifesaving service to the Island of Hawai'i while collaborating with and learning from local healthcare providers. Together, we can ensure residents and visitors have access to critical care when every second counts."

Ensuring access to emergency medical care is crucial, particularly in rural communities where distance and terrain pose significant challenges. In a critical medical emergency, time is of the essence—rapid access to life-saving care can mean the difference between life and death.

Recognizing the importance of public safety, the County of Hawai'i has prioritized efforts to enhance emergency response. Mayor Kimo Alameida emphasized the program's impact, stating, "This is an amazing program that will add life-saving capacity anywhere in our County, especially in our rural areas."

Hawai'i Fire Department Chief Kazuo Todd echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of community support in strengthening emergency services: "The Hawai'i Fire Department has long benefited from the generosity of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, whose contributions have enhanced our ability to serve the community. The addition of this air medical resource has the potential to improve patient transport to higher levels of critical care on Oahu, complementing our existing emergency medical services. We welcome any efforts that strengthen emergency response and patient outcomes for the people of Hawai'i."

The Airbus H145 is designed for rapid response, equipped with cutting-edge avionics, and offers a spacious cabin optimized for critical care transport. This state-of-the-art aircraft is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and capable platforms for air medical transport. Its versatility and performance in challenging environments make it an ideal solution for providing life-saving medical care across Hawai'i's diverse and remote regions. Coupled with a highly trained and experienced clinical team composed of a flight registered nurse and flight paramedic, this new program will enhance ICU-level air ambulance care and transport for the County of Hawai'i, ultimately fulfilling the joint organization's goals of saving lives.

ABOUT THE DANIEL R. SAYRE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives in Hawai'i. Since its inception in 1997, the Foundation has raised over $40 million in donations and pledged equipment, directly funding essential rescue equipment and training for the Hawai'i Island Fire Department. This support enables the department to serve the local community and more than 1.5 million visitors each year. With 100% of donations invested into lifesaving resources or community service projects, the Foundation remains committed to enhancing emergency response capabilities. For more information, visit www.danielsayrefoundation.org.

ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK
Life Flight Network exists to fulfill its mission of saving lives through industry leading care and transport. It is the largest not-for-profit air medical service in the United States and is accredited by national and international accrediting bodies for safety, operations, and clinical excellence. Life Flight Network maintains its own FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate, offering ICU-level care during air and ground transport across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Health and Services, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. It was named the 2021 Program of the Year by the Association for Air Medical Services. For more information or to become a member visit www.lifeflight.org.

SOURCE The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation; Life Flight Network