By Michelle Mann
Dothan Eagle
ENTERPRISE, Ala. 鈥� Enterprise Rescue Inc. has unveiled a facelift to its existing air medical ambulance fleet with a custom-painted helicopter very similar to the look of the 62-year-old company鈥檚 ground ambulance fleet.
The custom paint job by Enterprise-based Arista/United Aero Group will drive further brand recognition and awareness for the Enterprise Rescue name across South Alabama, as the company continues growth at a rapid pace, said Arnold Woodham, ERI Chief Operations Officer. The new look is thanks in large part to PHI Air Medical, ERI鈥檚 air medical partner since the two began a partnership three years ago.
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Enterprise Rescue is an employee-owned, non-profit ambulance service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week in a coverage area spanning Covington, Coffee and Monroe counties.
鈥楾he bumblebees鈥�
The current fleet of aircraft 鈥� Air 1 in Enterprise, Air 2 in Andalusia, and Air 3 in Monroe County 鈥� is recognizable as the bright yellow and black helicopters in the skies across South Alabama, often referred to as 鈥渢he bumblebees.鈥�
This newly painted aircraft-鈥揘429PH鈥搘ill be transferred to Monroe County w,here it will continue serving residents of Southwest Alabama, an area ERI began serving in July.
鈥淭his is something we鈥檝e been wanting for a while now at Enterprise Rescue,鈥� said Woodham. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thankful for our continued partnership with Sam Marshall and everyone at PHI for giving us the green light to get our own, branded bird, as we believe it will make a huge difference for our company with a recognizable look now flying across the skies of our state.鈥�
How it all began
After the purchase of a 1958 Pontiac hearse for $250, Enterprise Rescue Squad answered its first call in 1963. Seven members of the community trained in American Red Cross First Aid volunteered to staff the fledgling service. Over time, the service grew and in 1981 Dr. Andy Kirk put together the squad鈥檚 first structured Emergency Medical curriculum and 鈥渁ttendants鈥� became EMTs.
As the demand for Emergency Medical Services increased, it became obvious that the change from volunteer to paid service was necessary and in 1997, Enterprise Rescue Squad became Enterprise Rescue Inc.
With the addition of a separate administration and training building at 519 E. Lee Street in Enterprise, Enterprise Rescue has become a regional training facility for various programs and agencies, according to Woodham. 鈥淲e hold over 100 classes a year, ranging from basic first aid and CPR to critical care and specialty courses for advanced medical providers.鈥�
鈥淲e are constantly finding ways to improve the quality of our services. From the newest state-of-the-art medical equipment and vehicles to ongoing training in the latest developments in emergency medicine, we will continue to serve our community with professionalism and pride,鈥� Woodham said. 鈥淲hen I joined Enterprise Rescue in 1989, our goal was that whatever it took, with the assets we had, we would provide the very best service to the citizens of Enterprise. That鈥檚 always been our mission will always continue to be.鈥�
ERI bases of operation:
ERI Coffee County
Ground Bases: Enterprise , Elba
Air Base: Enterprise
Wheelchair Van Operations
ERI Covington County
Air Base: Andalusia
Wheelchair Van Operations
ERI Monroe County
Ground Base: Monroeville
Air Base: Monroeville
Wheelchair Van Operations
鈥淔rom Day One, it鈥檚 been our combined mission with PHI to deliver life-saving measures to those who need it most across South Alabama,鈥� said Woodham. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the reputation we uphold at ERI in providing timely, passionate and expert care. From our roots in Coffee County with Air 1 just three years ago, our growth has been incredible thanks to a very large team of personnel and is further proof of our mission to continue serving these communities that need it most.鈥�
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