Mercy Air 'committed' to East Kern operation
May move operation to CalCity
BY BILL DEAVER
MOJAVE - Mercy Air is committed to continuing its helicopter air ambulance operation in East Kern if the operation at California City terminates an official of the firm said last week.
Roy Cox, business director for Mercy Air responsible for East Kern, reiterated the company's commitment to the region in a phone call last Friday.
Cox said he called because of rumors being circulated in California City that the company would "pull out" if the California City operation ends.
"We're committed to staying in that area," Cox said. "We may move to California City but we will stay in East Kern."
Mercy Air's helicopter air ambulance is currently based at Mojave Airport. The company's operations are housed in a modular building near the flightline where the helicopter is parked.
Business improving
Cox said the company's business has improved since it decided to base a helicopter in East Kern rather than responding to calls from Victorville. That happened because of California City Fire Chief Mike Antonucci's efforts to attract an airship to the city.
"We've proven that there is an economic basis for keeping an airship up there," Cox said. That situation should improve if only one service is provided.
"We're going to be up there for a long time," Cox said.
Currently East Kern is served by Mercy and by MedTrans, based at the California City fire station, while all of the more populous West Kern region is covered by only one airship.
MedTrans recently told California City officials that it cannot continue economically to operate in East Kern.
California City officials voted 4-1 last week to end negotiations to
purchase a $3 million Bell helicopter to be based in at the U.S. Borax
plant in Boron rather than in California City.
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