KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Vanderbilt LifeFlight kicked off National EMS Week with a celebration of its ground ambulance advanced life support (ALS) transport in Coffee County with a ribbon cutting.

The celebration took place at is base of operations in Tullahoma at 611 S. Anderson St. on Monday, May 22, where members of Vanderbilt LifeFlight welcomed its guests, which included city officials, Vanderbilt Tullahoma – Harton Hospital (VTHH) and Coffee County EMS.

LifeFlight Manager Michael Clements welcomed everyone to the ground base and gave a brief background of its presence in Tullahoma. According to Clements, since starting operations in July 2021, they have transported over 3,000 while supporting both VTHH and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital. He also praised members of the crews, including members who have been there since day one.

“We do all that with an amazing crew that is here and we are dedicated to our service so I want to thank them,” Clements said.

Associate Chief of Staff Stephan Russ said he was really glad to be there, as any excuse to leave Nashville to get to work with VTHH. He said working in Tullahoma gave him a similar feel to his hometown of Oak Ridge.

“I have a lot of affinity to this kind of organization,” Russ said. “This community has a connection with the people who service our country so I am glad to be here.”

He added that EMS plays an important in the infrastructure of how health care is delivered and that the last few years has been rough for the EMS community due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are really glad to be able to support Coffee County EMS and the other EMS agencies in the other who are doing a tremendous job,” he said. “I’m really excited Vanderbilt has a footprint here, and look forward to a long relationship.”

Hope Nunley, Executive Director of the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was excited about the ribbon cutting and appreciated the relationship it has with Vanderbilt.

“What an amazing facility for us to have in our community because it means great access to great healthcare, which makes us a strong community,” Nunley said.

Before the ribbon cutting, LifeFlight Chaplain Rev. Raye Dyer shared a blessing with attendees, stating the base represents the many partnerships within the community and illuminates energy, innovation and emergency protocols.

“This base stands for integrity and hard work, as strong as its 18 crew members, in their vision for emergency care as tall as the ceiling in this 4,000 sq. ft. building,” Dyer said. “We’ve gathered today to celebrate accomplishments, to strengthen our network of care and professionalism and to share a great event of an open house as an acknowledgement of the great gift of the Tullahoma ground base.”

The 49th annual National EMS Week takes place from Sunday, May 21, through Saturday, May 27. President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week in 1974 to celebrate EMS practitioners and raise awareness to their important work in communities.