Life-Guard

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not a prank—it is a serious threat to flight safety.

A North Carolina man is facing charges after allegedly targeting Duke Life Flight helicopters with a high-powered laser during nighttime patient missions. Incidents like these can temporarily impair a pilot's vision and place patients, crews, and communities at risk.

If you see someone directing a laser at an aircraft, report it immediately. 🚁

Thankful our friends at Duke Life Flight are safe.

For our fans who use screen readers: ALT TEXT: The photo below shows a Duke Life Flight helicopter and the shared link includes the full article from Herald Sun as summarized above.

Man accused of targeting Life Flight helicopters on life-saving missions Alexander Urtso, 49, is accused of pointing a laser at Duke Life Flight helicopters multiple times in April.

Check out our FUTURE healthcare providers! Life-Guard pilot Wade Dunford, flight paramedic Rod Pierce, and flight nurse / manager Kellie Lavine were glad to host the 2026 Camp Carilion students. This was just one part of the 4 day camp giving students the opportunity to gain experience with life-saving skills through hands on exercises and interactive demonstrations.

For our fans who used screen readers: ALT TEXT: Photo shows the group of students with the flight crew on the CRMH rooftop helipad.

You may remember the post from May 8 featuring the video of our new Life-Guard 11 (N224VV) making its first landing in Roanoke. But what about the new Life-Guard 10 and Life-Guard 12?

Life-Guard 10 (N223WL) arrived at the Global Medical Response Aviation Training Center in Denton, Texas, on June 2 for its required FAA inspection and acceptance process. Meanwhile, Life-Guard 12 (N225LX) is preparing to depart the Airbus facility in Columbus, Mississippi, and head to Roanoke very (VERY) soon!

Stay tuned for more updates as these aircraft continue their journey home. We are incredibly excited and grateful to be welcoming these state-of-the-art helicopters during our 45th year of service to the communities we are privileged to serve. 🚁💙

For our fans who use screen readers: ALT TEXT: One photo shows the Life-Guard 10 helicopter on its final approach to the training center in Texas. The other photos shows the Life-Guard 12 helicopter at the Airbus facility in Mississippi.

What a great day of leaning! Thank you to everyone who came out to learn how to support us in the event of a hard landing. We sure hope we never need you, but in the unlikely event we do, we know we are in good hands. Thankful for our flight paramedics Taylor Powell and Alex Hennis, flight nurses Phillip Mitchell and Matt Sotelo, and pilot Carlos Scott for assisting with this training at Rescue College. Shout out to our flight followers Bea Parks and Stefanie Sarine for all their behind the scenes work on this busy day as well. More pics below!

For our fans who use screen readers: Pictures show the flight crew working with students on a safe response to a simulated hard landing.

We had a great time teaching the Difficult Airway class at the VFRS Rescue College at Virginia Tech today! Comment below if you were there and let us know what you thought of the hands on learning provided by flight paramedics Scott Davis and Taylor Powell and flight nurses Amber Wirt and Alex Wirt.

For our fans who use screen readers: ALT TEXT: Photos show the flight crew working with students in the conference center breakout room on various difficult airway techniques.

Join Life-Guard and CNRV Cardiovascular Institute June 17 @ 12N for a case presentation on Field STEMI patients. Available in person or virtual (see link in the comments for the virtual link).

For our fans who use screen readers:

Alt Text:
Please join Drs. Lingle and Kelley, lnterventional Cardiologists of Carilion Clinic Cardiology, as they give a presentation of Field Heart Alert STEMls.

The sessions will offer Continuing Education (CE) credits for EMS.
Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device See link in comments to join the meeting

Video Conference ID: 111 477 749 8

Or call in (audio only): (929) 229-5548
Phone Conference ID: 693 309 45 #

Topic:
Field Heart Alert STEMis

Date:
Wednesday June 17th, 2026

Time:
12:00-1:oopm (lunch provided)

Location:
Carillon New River Valley Medical Center
2900 Lamb Circle Christiansburg, VA 24073
Fireside Conference Rooms

It’s a full class of orientees at our ground transport division of CCPT today. We are inspired to see what they will do for the future of healthcare and EMS!

For our fans who use screen readers:

ALT TEXT: Photo shows a classroom of new hires.

We have a new RRT for our Neonatal-Pediatric Transport Team! Congrats to Autumn Simmons who passed her panel with our medical director with flying colors. She’s earned her wings! Seen below with her preceptor Angelia, medical director, Dr. Hayley Rose-Inman, and two of her NPTT members, Emilie and Alexis.

For our fans who use screen readers:

ALT TEXT: Photos show Autumn with her wings pin in front of the NPTT specialty care ambulance. Other photos of her include her with her mentors and trainers as noted above.