At a glance
Southwest Med Evac is committed to provide expeditious, state of the art, cost effective medical transportation that exceeds our customers’ expectations.
Southwest Med Evac was founded in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1994 by John Richardson. The company began with one plane, one pilot, one medical crew, one mechanic and one communications specialist. Mr. Richardson was the pilot, mechanic and communication specialist. SWME has committed its resources to providing the highest level of patient care combined with rapid, safe and reliable air transport to our region’s medical centers. Now in our twelfth year, SWME has grown to seven airplanes and nine helicopters becoming the largest provider of air medical services in New Mexico and West Texas. Southwest Med Evac now employs over 150 people at nine air bases in New Mexico and Texas. Rotor and Wing magazine ranks SWME as the eighth largest air medical provider in the nation based on fleet size.
Southwest Med Evac exists to serve critically sick and injured patients. SWME has worked for twelve years to develop, refine and remain on the leading edge of patient care. The services SWME provides, whether on-scene or between medical facilities, are needed at the most critical times of medical treatment. Our program has sought out special skills such as RSI, sternal IO’s, chest tubes, and pericardiocentesis and developed comprehensive training programs for these skills. When an emergency arises Southwest Med Evac is ready. In addition to a pilot, each flight crew is comprised of a Flight RN and a Flight Paramedic. Each member of the medical team is required to have several years of relevant critical care experience before joining SWME.
The SWME initial training program is rigorous and comprehensive. All new employees are brought to our training facility in Las Cruces for initial training and orientation. The classes cover: safety, rotor and fixed wing operations, obstetrics, pediatrics, trauma, cardiac to include IABP and special needs patients. All medical flight personnel are required to obtain additional certifications beyond industry standard. In addition flight medical employees complete required clinical rotations and take an active part in our quality assurance program. Southwest Med Evac equips each aircraft with the most advanced medical equipment and supplies. Each medical crew member is skilled and practiced in the operation of sensitive medical flight equipment in a flight situation. The equipment includes transport ventilators and IV pumps, intra-aortic balloon pumps, external cardiac pacers and our state of the art ZOLL M series monitor. Our extensive training program, advanced medical equipment, and highly skilled flight crews deliver the highest level of care possible.
Our Safety Ethic
Regardless of the operation, safety is inherent to all Southwest Med Evac functions. Our commitment to the safety and welfare of our customers, employees, and other first responder agencies is the guiding principle of our practice. Our entire staff is knowledgeable in their responsibility to ensure safety is not only practiced, but is integral to each task. Accident prevention and risk management are incorporated into development strategies from start to finish. Our team of safety experts consistently monitors each aspect of company operations, thereby enhancing our ability to accomplish our goals in the safest and most efficient manner.
Our aircraft inventory consists of proven air transport platforms, which are noted for overall performance and safety. The Southwest Med Evac Aviation Team is comprised of experienced aviation mechanics and pilots. Our aviation team maintains the highest standards for aircraft readiness, operational safety, and adherence to Federal Aviation Administration and Air Medical Transport standards.
Southwest Med Evac is an honest and ethical provider of air medical transport. The social and individual obligations of safety, the moral imperatives of patient care and an ethical corporate vision guide our conduct. We treat every person with dignity and respect. We communicate honestly. We believe in integrity, dedication, generosity and hard work. We have always provided critical transport to those who need it, regardless of ability to pay. These core values are central to our vision and operations. A recent Centers for Medicare service audit showed Southwest Med Evac to be the number 1 clean claim provider for air medical services in New Mexico with 30 out 30 claims deemed appropriate and acceptable. A copy of this audit is available upon request.
Southwest Med Evac maintains a fleet of eight fixed wing aircraft and nine medically configured AS-350 helicopters. The aircraft are fully climate controlled for patient comfort. Every rotor-wing aircraft has a range of 360 nautical miles. The B-3 is a proven performer and will operate in a 150 nm radius from its station. The B-3’s high performance power plant, long range capability and proven safety record have been put to the test time and again on medical, military, high altitude record setting mission and even rescues on the side of Everest. Our fixed-wing aircraft are capable of servicing the continental United States. They are fully pressurized and climate controlled. One family member may ride with the patient.
Southwest Med Evac maintains bases in New Mexico at Silver City, Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Hobbs, Roswell and Alamogordo. In addition, SWME maintains three bases in Texas at Abilene, Snyder and Midland. These bases provide emergency response to facilities and scenes in their areas and are able to provide air medical transport anywhere in the continental United States.
The helicopter and fixed wing crews consist of a licensed, experienced pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic. An aviation technician is on call at all times and performs routine daily inspections on all aircraft as well as scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
Southwest Med Evac operates a state of the art communication center that is centrally located in Las Cruces, NM. Our communications specialists are able to track and communicate with all of our aircraft through cellular, satellite and radio communications. The SWME communications center is the starting point for activating an aircraft and is reached by calling 1-800-242-6199.
Southwest Med Evac maintains strict launch times, 10 minutes for rotor and 20 minutes for fixed wing aircraft. In the event that a closer aircraft is in your area our communications center will notify you of an ETA on the nearest aircraft.
Southwest Med Evac is fully licensed in New Mexico and Texas. Southwest Med Evac is licensed and certified as a Critical/Specialty Care Service by the New Mexico Department of Health and as a Mobile Intensive Care Unit/Provider by the Texas Department of Health. Southwest Med Evac is licensed as a Certified Air Carrier by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Safe helicopter operation is achieved through constant training and clear communication. We will provide on-going instruction to staff about activation guidelines and landing zone safety classes. Southwest Med Evac has and will continue to also provide numerous hours of training to local fire departments and EMS providers in the area. These trainings include helicopter safety, LZ set up, and activation guidelines. SWME has also established an impressive track record of providing certification classes such as ACLS, PALS and NRP to area hospital staff and providers at a reduced cost.
Southwest Med Evac has a very close working relationship with our three medical directors. Dr. Walter Simmons is our New Mexico medical director and most recent addition to our team. Dr. Thomas Allen makes up the Texas side of our medical direction team. All physicians are board certified emergency physicians in current practice. At least one medical director is available for consult at all times.
Southwest Med Evac is an active participant in the Association of Air Medical Services and has earned the right to be a voting member of this organization.
SWME has a strong commitment to being good corporate neighbors in the communities which we serve. We adhere to FAA Fly Friendly guidelines. We provide helicopter and logistic support to Every 15 Minutes programs, health fairs and other community events. We also participate in other community events such as March of Dimes Walk America.
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Corporate Offices Bus: (866) 869-0968 Local Bus: (505)525-8263 Fax: (505) 525-2610 2805B Las Vegas Ct. Las Cruces, NM 88007
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