PORT ANGELES – The Port of Port Angeles has new tenant, and that could be life-changing news.

Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States, is opening a new base at the Fairchild International Airport here in Port Angeles. The base will be operational beginning March 29.

Since the Port of Port Angeles will be their new landlord, we asked Director of Properties John Nutter to make the announcement.

Nutter says Life Flight will pay just under $4,900 per month for their lease.

Having medical airlift service in the area will reduce response times dramatically, especially critical for trauma, cardiac, and stroke patients.

That’s Regional Director Jake Dalstra. He says Fairchild Airport was chosen because it has the infrastructure in place for their helicopter to be able to perform Instrument Flights in poor visibility situations.

As for cost, Life Flight offers a membership for a $65 annual fee. Members incur no out-of-pocket expense if flown for medically necessary emergencies, and the annual fee covers everyone in the household.

Life Flight is now hiring to fill 15-20 new positions locally, and you can check out the job listings at their website, lifeflight.org