UMass Memorial LifeFlight

05/21/2026

The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems will conduct an accreditation site visit of UMass Memorial Life Flight on June 16 and 17, 2026.
The purpose of the site visit is to evaluate the program’s compliance with nationally established medical transport standards. The site visit results will be used to determine whether and the conditions under which accreditation should be awarded to the program.
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) accreditation standards deal with issues of patient care and safety of the transport environment. Anyone believing that he or she has pertinent or valid information about such matters may request a public information interview with the CAMTS site surveyors at the time of the site visit. Information presented at the interview will be carefully evaluated for relevance to the accreditation process. Requests for public information interviews must be made in writing and sent to CAMTS no later than 10 business days before the site survey begins. The request should also indicate the nature of the information to be provided during the interview. Such requests should be addressed to:
Office of the Executive Director Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems PO Box 130, Sandy Springs, SC 29677

05/17/2026

🌟🚑 Today marks both National Telecommunication Day and the start of National EMS Week! 🚑🌟

"Improving Outcomes Together"

This week, we celebrate the incredible men and women in Emergency Medical Services who work tirelessly to save lives and enhance outcomes in our communities.

This year’s theme highlights our collaboration with the many communities across New England and the exceptional care you provide. Without your dedication before our arrival, we wouldn’t be able to perform our jobs successfully. We build on the care already provided by EMS, delivering critical care at the bedside or at the roadside. By bringing the hospital to the patient, we add speed, access, and expanded treatment options. Together, we form a crucial link in the chain that improves patient outcomes.

A special shoutout goes to our telecommunicators today for their integral role in this effort. They serve as the anchor for our Life Flight team; monitoring, connecting, and verifying vital information to ensure critical care reaches the community effectively and quickly.

Together, we create a vital network dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes and fostering a healthier future for everyone.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work! We look forward to continuing our collaboration to improve outcomes together!

05/12/2026

Day 4 of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is underway!

Three of our Flight Paramedics are riding from Boston to Washington D.C. The ride honors and memorializes EMS who have died in the line of duty, as well as those who have been injured, become sick, or passed away from other causes while serving.

Thanks for representing our program at our Nation’s capital! FP- Urato, Pim, and Tubens

05/10/2026

Today, our flight crews participated in specialized K-9 training at our Fitchburg base. The training consisted of two parts:

The first half involved classroom and hands on training with . Dr. Sean Majoy and Sgt. Dave Stucenski shared their expertise in stabilizing and transporting injured K-9s. Tufts brought Diesel, a high-fidelity SIM dog, to practice skills like hemorrhage control, bandage application, IM injections, and more. Nero’s Law allows EMS providers to provide emergency medical care and air medical transport to police K-9s injured in the line of duty.

The second half of the day consisted of evolutions in a progressive, safety-focused approach. K-9 teams were initially introduced to the aircraft in a controlled environment with the aircraft ‘cold’. Then advanced to live operations with the aircraft ‘hot’. Rotating blades, engine noise, and rotor wash simulated realistic HEMS conditions. K-9 teams approached under the direction of flight crews, entered into the cabin, acclimated to the sights, sounds, and conditions, then exited with their handler. All K-9s remained muzzled for safety.

This training highlighted the collaboration between public safety, veterinary medicine, and critical care transport teams.

Thank you to Tufts University, Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog, and all participating law enforcement K-9 teams for their commitment to advancing the safe transport and emergency care of working dogs.

05/06/2026

Our critical care transport teams hone their airway skills during quarterly simulation sessions at the UMass Chan iCELS lab.

Today, members of UMass Life Flight and Worcester EMS had the privilege of learning from Dr. Jim DuCanto, a world-class anesthesiologist, educator, and innovator in airway management.

Our clinicians practiced the SALAD (Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy Airway Decontamination) technique pioneered by Dr. DuCanto, which equips providers to manage airways obstructed by secretions, blood, or other fluids.

We also learned about emerging technology, including the AIRO suction device, which uses fluid transfer principles to minimize oxygen aspiration during airway management.

World-class care begins with world-class training.
Thank you, Dr. DuCanto!

03/07/2026

We are proud to have been just one of the vital links in the chain of survival! The ability to bring critical care to the field and bedside helps to improve patient outcomes for all patient types, not just trauma patients.

On Wednesday, March 4, the Sturbridge Fire Department held a ceremony to honor the local first responders who helped save Paradise’s life.

12/22/2025

Tis another magical day at Life Flight. It’s our annual day, when we get to fly up to the North Pole to pick up Santa, 🎅 Mrs. Claus, and some elves and bring them to the UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center ahead of the holiday season!

Thank you to all who make this event so special for all of us! ✨🎄🚁

11/09/2025

Our hearts are with our Vanderbilt LifeFlight colleagues, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We are holding all those affected by yesterday’s accident in our thoughts and prayers.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is deeply saddened to confirm that a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter was involved in an accident this afternoon in Wilson County, TN. Three crew members were on board. Tragically, one crew member lost their life, and two others are in critical condition and receiving care at Vanderbilt University Hospital. No patient was on board at the time of the incident.

Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with our Vanderbilt LifeFlight colleagues, their families, and loved ones during this difficult time.

10/25/2025

Our Communication Center is hiring!

Link in the comments. ⬇️

10/18/2025

Congratulations to our own Nick North!
One of AAMS rising leaders.