When an emergency call comes in that requires Life Flight transportation, the pilots, nurses, and medics on standby, respond by loading the patient into the small helicopter. This helicopter, equipped with IV, monitor, and blood storage, allows for the nurses and medics to perform necessary medical procedures, if the injury to the patient demands it. Having a supply of blood on-board serves a critical purpose when needed, which is rare on medical aircraft in the Northwest.

Available space inside is certainly a limiting factor for this helicopter, but during the short time it takes to transport the patient to area medical facilities, such as St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise Idaho, the crew is certain they will have access to the essential equipment needed to keep the patient stabilized.

“When you fly around in this helicopter, that’s your office. You could be working with the sickest of the sick,” remarked Dominic Pomponio, the Director of Clinical Operations with Life Flight, and Registered Nurse. Dominic is one of the five nurses and paramedics part of the La Grande Life Flight crew. Along with the two pilots and two mechanics, the crew lives in their own quarters in the hanger on 12-hour rotational shifts, similar to a firehouse environment.

Dominic has been with Life Flight for three years now. He is really excited about the new helicopter, and is confident it will be able to handle the demand of service in Eastern Oregon. “This helicopter is fast, efficient, and quiet. It can land at a hospital, on the freeway, or even a park.” Dominic is proud that even though the helicopter is not the largest in size, it is still a unique aircraft in the Northwest considering all that it can do. “This model helicopter has taken off and landed on Mt. Everest, around 2600ft,” he remarked. “At high altitude, it performs great.”

Life Flight is a non profit air medical service based in Aurora Oregon, and has been operating for 33 years. The La Grande base is the 11th base for the company. There are three to four medical staff on-hand at any given time, as well as a mechanic and pilots, courtesy of Air Methods. Dominic mentioned how great all members of the crew are, from the nurses and medics providing care to the patient, to the mechanics and pilots that maintain and operate the helicopter.

“The pilots we use have experience ranging from civilian backgrounds, all the way to military backgrounds,” Dominic explains. “Our most experienced pilot, Doug, has close to 20,000 hours of flight, having been with Life Flight for over 12 years now.” Life Flight, across the Northwest, operates helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, which are owned by Legacy Emanuel, Port Providence, St. Alphonsus, and OSU.

Raul Marroquin, one of the flight paramedics, was on hand to discuss what it takes to assure the crew has all that they need for when the next emergency call comes in. “Our medicine supply is restocked each day,” Raul remarked. “We go through a checklist to make sure we have what we need, when we need it.”

Raul, transferring from the Lewiston Idaho Life Flight base, is excited to be in La Grande. “It’s great to be here,” he said. “La Grande has such a beautiful view.” Other members of the crew are eager to make Northeast Oregon their home, including two pilots, one from Vancouver, and the other from Longview.

Life Flight, with around $1.25 million annual payroll, is looking forward to serving Eastern Oregon, and will be announcing an open house event in La Grande, later this summer.

As part of the Joint Combat Assessment Team, also known as “CSI in the sky”, Maj. Hardman performs forensic analysis on downed or damaged aircraft in order to determine the enemy’s weapon system and tactics.

Download audio file (81031.2011-02-24.mp3)

Currently serving as a U.S. Air Force officer, Maj. Hardman is working in cooperation with the U.S. Army in numerous missions throughout Afghanistan, including several CASEVAC, or “casualty evacuation”, operations.

Maj. Hardman thanked the civilians back home for their support while away during his deployment, and said a special thanks to his family in Eastern Oregon.

Download audio file (81032.2011-02-24.mp3)

Your Voice airs Monday through Friday from 8AM – 9AM on KLBM-AM and KBKR-AM.

Oregon State Results

Governor	John Kitzhaber	49%	675,206 Votes
	Chris Dudley	48%	662,137 Votes
U.S. Senate	Ron Wyden	57%	702,927 Votes
	Jim Huffman	40%	496,702 Votes
U.S. Congress	David Wu	55%	138,750 Votes
(District 1)	Rob Cornilles	42%	106,569 Votes
U.S. Congress	Joyce Segers	24%	58,906 Votes
(District 2)	Greg Walden	74%	177,141 Votes
U.S. Congress	Earl Blumenauer	69%	180,847 Votes
(District 3)	Delia Lopez	24%	64,082 Votes
U.S. Congress	Peter A Defazio	53%	145,091 Votes
(District 4)	Art Robinson	44%	120,307 Votes
U.S. Congress	Kurt Schrader	50%	129,601 Votes
(District 5)	Scott Bruun	47%	121,011 Votes
State Treasurer	Ted Wheeler	53%	604,785 Votes
	Chris Telfer	43%	489,392 Votes
State	Yes	57%	679,253 Votes
Measure #73	No	43%	507,714 Votes
State	Yes	43%	513,983 Votes
Measure #74	No	57%	686,069 Votes
State	Yes	32%	378,708 Votes
Measure #75	No	67%	813,997 Votes
State	Yes	69%	813,422 Votes
Measure #76	No	31%	373,671 Votes

Union County Results

Governor	John Kitzhaber	31%	3,357 Votes
	Chris Dudley	64%	6,853 Votes
U.S. Senate	Ron Wyden	46%	4,882 Votes
	Jim Huffman	49%	5,257 Votes
State Treasurer	Ted Wheeler	34%	3,382 Votes
	Chris Telfer	58%	5,725 Votes
State Rep.	Jean Falbo	22%	2,366 Votes
(57th District)	Greg Smith	76%	7,937 Votes
Commissioner	Chris Taylor	20%	2,110 Votes
Position 1	William Rosholt	48%	4,839 Votes
	Jim Mollerstrom	30%	3,096 Votes
Commissioner	M. O’Connor	29%	2,942 Votes
Position 2	Steve McClure	70%	7,041 Votes
State	Yes	82%	8,581 Votes
Measure #70	No	17%	1,822 Votes
State	Yes	64%	6,416 Votes
Measure #71	No	35%	3,574 Votes
State	Yes	51%	4,988 Votes
Measure #72	No	48%	4,758 Votes
State	Yes	61%	6,369 Votes
Measure #73	No	38%	4,023 Votes
State	Yes	33%	3,541 Votes
Measure #74	No	66%	6,904 Votes
State	Yes	35%	3,710 Votes
Measure #75	No	64%	6,601 Votes
State	Yes	63%	6,622 Votes
Measure #76	No	36%	3,727 Votes
31-75	Yes	48%	5,060 Votes
	No	51%	5,462 Votes
31-76	Yes	40%	1,774 Votes
La Grande	No	59%	2,554 Votes

Baker County

Governor	John Kitzhaber		1,946 Votes
	Chris Dudley		4,949 Votes
U.S. Senate	Ron Wyden		2,927 Votes
	Jim Huffman		4,008 Votes
State Treasurer	Ted Wheeler		2,192 Votes
	Chris Telfer		4,136 Votes
State Rep.	Cliff Bentz		5,609 Votes
(60th District)
Commissioner	Roger Kinney		1,801 Votes
Position 2	Carl E Stiff		4,985 Votes
Commissioner	Fred Warner, Jr		3,543 Votes
Position 3	Dick Fleming		3,374 Votes
State	Yes		5,831 Votes
Measure #70	No		1,328 Votes
State	Yes		4,368 Votes
Measure #71	No		2,487 Votes
State	Yes		3,239 Votes
Measure #72	No		3,492 Votes
State	Yes		3,986 Votes
Measure #73	No		3,144 Votes
State	Yes		2,251 Votes
Measure #74	No		4,942 Votes
State	Yes		2,122 Votes
Measure #75	No		4,959 Votes
State	Yes		4,234 Votes
Measure #76	No		2,877 Votes

For full election results for Union County, click here.

For full election results for Baker County, click here.

Supertalk Radio was pleased to welcome Lars Larson out to the fair. Lars broadcast his Oregon-wide radio program, as well as his National radio program, from the Pacific Empire Radio Booth.

The Union County Timber Cruisers Car Club car show lined Adams Avenue with classic cars for all to enjoy.

Eight teams competed to make the best babyback pork ribs!

First place won a full side of beef, cut and wrapped, from Joshua’s Country Store! Second place won a portable Traeger Grill, courtesy of a local supplier!

Ash Grove Cement played an important role in helping raise the iconic American flag back atop the hotel’s distinctive tower in response to repeated citizen requests made over the years. A violent windstorm knocked down the flag and pulley assembly that held it in place. Ash Grove arranged for a giant crane to come in from La Grande to fix the pulley system so the flag could be raised.

Baker City’s American Legion Post 41 lead a ceremony to honor the American flag on its first raising. Civic groups and local organizations, plus members of the public were invited to attend.

Representative Cliff Bentz was also on hand to speak of how much this flag raising means to the community, and the importance of displaying our patriotism towards our country.

There will be a lot of events planned, with various rides scheduled throughout Eastern Oregon. The bike show judging will take place on Saturday, with trophies awarded around 8PM.

American Legion Post 41 will start barbecuing at noon on Saturday and Sunday. They will also have a beer garden and live music available during the rally. For more information about the various events the American Legion Post 41 will be involved in, call 541-523-2141.

The Biker’s Fighting Cancer, a 501C3 Non-Profit Organization, will be present during the rally to raise support for children and families affected by cancer. They will have T-Shirts and other gear available for purchase, with ALL money raised going towards those families dealing with cancer.

Biker’s Fighting Cancer will again be raffling off 2 revolvers during the rally. These stainless steel Bacaro .45 revolvers will be custom engraved and numbered specifically for the Hell’s Canyon Rally.

Photos courtesy of: Mindzeye Photography