Suwannee Air Rescue to Launch in North Central Florida

Helis, June 03, 2025 - Air Methods is proud to partner with Suwannee County Fire Rescue to open a new air medical base this fall at Suwannee County Airport. The new base—Suwannee Air Rescue—will feature county paramedics working alongside Air Methods’ experienced flight nurses and pilots.

Suwannee County, Florida, is located in the north-central part of the state, encompassing approximately 692 square miles. Its county seat and largest city is Live Oak. The county is famously bordered on three sides by the Suwannee River, a waterway immortalized in Stephen Foster's song "Old Folks at Home," which remains a defining feature of the region’s natural landscape. The area is also known for its numerous clear, freshwater springs, which are popular for swimming, diving, and other recreational activities.

Medical Services in Suwannee County

Medical services in Suwannee County are primarily centered around HCA Florida Suwannee Emergency, a 12-bed emergency room in Live Oak. It operates as an extension of HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, offering 24/7 adult and pediatric emergency care, diagnostic services, and a variety of treatments.

In addition to emergency care, the Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County provides a range of public health services, including family health, immunizations, and chronic disease management.

Local emergency response is managed by Suwannee County Fire Rescue, which delivers comprehensive services including firefighting and medical emergencies. Their teams are equipped to handle a wide range of scenarios.

The launch of Suwannee Air Rescue, through the partnership between Air Methods and Suwannee County Fire Rescue, further enhances the county’s ability to provide critical air medical transport and advanced emergency care—particularly for severe cases requiring rapid evacuation.

Aircraft Operator

Air Methods Corporation, founded in 1980, is a leading American air medical service provider. Headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the company operates one of the largest air medical fleets in the world, including both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It specializes in transporting critically ill or injured patients from accident scenes or community hospitals to trauma centers and tertiary care facilities across 48 states.

In addition to its air medical operations, Air Methods has divisions involved in aerospace manufacturing—United Rotorcraft, which designs and installs medical interiors—and helicopter tourism, through subsidiaries like Sundance Helicopters and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. With a network of over 300 bases, the company is recognized for its strong focus on safety and clinical excellence, transporting more than 100,000 patients annually.