Guardian Air is a hospital-based, non-profit air medical transport program serving the remote areas of northern Arizona since August 1985. As the only non-profit air medical transport company in the region, Guardian Air's focus is safety and quality of care.
Key Strategic Focus
Guardian Air's strategic focus is on providing safe air medical transport of patients from the communities they serve with compassion and respect, maintaining the highest level of critical care transport standards.
Fleet and Operations
Guardian Air operates a fleet of ten Bell 407 helicopters and one Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft. The fleet is owned by Guardian Air, with pilots and mechanics provided by Metro Aviation. The aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and comply with Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 135 requirements for fixed-wing and helicopter emergency medical services.
Services Offered
Guardian Air offers four specialty services:
- Adult Transport: Critical care transport, including rapid treatment of cardiac and stroke patients; intra-aortic balloon pump management, bariatric patients, and trauma care.
- Pediatric Transport: Specialty transport, including ventilator management and specialty equipment for pediatric patients.
- Maternal Transport: Qualified to transport and provide critical care to high-risk obstetrical patients. All staff is S.T.A.B.L.E. certified.
- Neonatal Transport: Provides 24/7 transport and critical care to neonatal and infant patients, utilizing temperature-controlled isolettes and specialty medications.
Safety and Training
Guardian Air emphasizes safety through protocols such as the "Three to go, one to say no" policy, ongoing fatigue monitoring, biannual safety stand-down days, daily safety topics, and monthly safety meetings. The organization fosters a "just culture" where accountability is shared, and systems are continuously evaluated. Medical crews and dispatchers undergo a rigorous hiring process and participate in stringent ongoing training. Guardian Air has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) since 1996.
Equipment and Technology
Guardian Air invests in advanced medical transport equipment and technology, including maternal fetal monitors, isolettes, Hamilton T1 ventilators, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and Impella transport. The organization is among the first in the United States to use the autopulse device in helicopters, enabling high-quality CPR during in-flight cardiac arrest.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Guardian Air partners with Metro Aviation for pilots and mechanics, ensuring high standards of operation and maintenance.
Competitor Profile
In the air medical transport industry, Guardian Air's competitors include organizations such as Guardian Flight, LLC, which operates in various regions and offers similar services. Guardian Flight, LLC is headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, and provides air medical services across multiple states.
Contact Information
For patient transport requests, please contact Guardian Air's communication center at 1-800-523-9391.
