June 7, 2012 - Harris, N.Y. – On Thursday, May 24, LifeNet of New York, a 24-hour critical care helicopter transport program, celebrated its five year anniversary of operating a base at Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC).

LifeNet staff, CRMC staff, local emergency responders and dignitaries celebrated under a tent behind CRMC and enjoyed a barbecue lunch and cake. Steve Buhrer, Medical Base Supervisor at Harris, gave a speech. “We are very happy to be here at CRMC and to serve the local community,” said Buhrer. “The past five years have been tremendous and we look forward to the future.”

Fred Kuriger, CEO at Catskill Regional Medical Center, said, “We are very fortunate to have such a great crew with LifeNet; they are part of the CRMC family. Their service saves lives and is very important to the local community.”

LifeNet of New York is a community-based program that provides medical transport services throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Harris base is one of nine bases located in their service area. The LifeNet team consists of a critical care flight nurse, a specially-trained flight paramedic and an EMS pilot. Each base also has a full-time, highly experienced mechanic. The team is capable of handling the most severe and life threatening medical emergencies for both children and adults.