Erlanger Health System – Life Force IV celebrated its new location in McCaysville, GA with a large attendance at a ribbon-cutting and open house on August 10th. FetchYourNews.com spoke with Robbie Tester, Program Manager with LIFE FORCE, to learn more about the services it offers to the mountain area. Life Force has been in Fannin County since August 3rd, 2010 and celebrates being in its planned location with a ribbon cutting and open house.

The location in McCaysville, GA consists of 10 medical crew members (5 nurse & 5 paramedics), 4 Pilots, and 1 Mechanic and all are on-call 24/7. The beginning location was Fannin Regional Hospital while construction was taking place at the new facility it occupies today; with a short-term stay at Gilmer County Airport when Fannin Regional was going through re-construction.

LIFE FORCE serves patients who have suffered any kind of severe trauma or severe medical illnesses. Each aircraft has equipment and the trained staff to care for people in all stages of life, from infants to geriatrics. LIFE FORCE may also be utilized in some situations, in search and rescue missions.

Today the staff were readily onhand to answer any questions and even let a few of us try out the night vision goggles!

Life Force is a wonderful facilty to have located in Fannin County and could make all the difference in life and death situations. They have other facilities located in Calhoun, GA, Chattanooga and Sparta TN. When every minute counts it’s good to know we have this type of assistance in our area.