Services

Our Basic Life Support ambulances are staffed with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). EMTs perform a patient assessment and basic noninvasive interventions during a transport. Their equipment includes:

• Pulse Oximetry
• Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
• Glucometer
• Bleeding Control
• Nebulizer Kits
• And More

Advanced Life Support ambulances are staffed with either two Paramedics or an EMT and a Paramedic. ALS ambulances respond to emergency and non-emergency requests for transport. Paramedics perform a variety of services, including intravenous therapy, cardiac monitoring, and advanced drug administration

Expanded Scope Advanced Life Support ambulances are staffed with a Paramedic, as well as an additional Paramedic who has obtained education allowing them to transport higher acuity patients. In addition to standard equipment, they carry mechanical ventilators and infusion pumps.

The Critical Care Transport Team is staffed by Critical Care Paramedics and Critical Care Transport Nurses. Critical Care Paramedics have at least two years of ALS experience and have completed a university-accredited critical care training program (CCEMTP, CCP). Transport Nurses have at least two years of critical care ICU or ER experience. All staff remain current in standards of care and are certified in ACLS, PALS, NRP and Trauma.

The Critical Care Transport Division has advanced medical guidelines and equipment which enables them to transport patients with:

• Specialized Cardiac Equipment
• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
• Impella
• Internal and External Pacemakers
• Advanced Airway Management
• Mechanical Ventilators
• Heated High-Flow Oxygen
• Advanced Medication Needs, Including Blood Products
• Hemodynamic Monitoring

1. Special Response Team: In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Superior responded to a request for assistance from Louisiana. Since then, we have had an expansive role in disaster response, both locally and nationally. Today, as a FEMA contractor, we deploy ambulances, personnel and supplies to disaster events across the nation.
2. Special Events Division: We provide EMS services to a variety of professional, collegiate and community events throughout the year, providing personnel, vehicles and administrative support.

Superior owns and operates four state-of-the-art dispatch centers, staffed by dispatch and customer service professionals. All ambulances are dispatched by the Communication Center in the state they deploy.

Our scheduling and dispatch software provides fleet management, monitoring, intelligent vehicle routing, transport scheduling, and mobile communications for real-time data collection. The software provides Superior call takers and dispatchers with the proper tools to accurately collect and disseminate patient information—and ultimately deliver better outcomes.

Superior Air Med is an industry leader in the emergency air medical transportation industry. With three EC135 helicopter air ambulances and two Learjets based out of DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois, our flight team is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, 365 days a year.

Our staff of highly trained professionals provide outstanding patient care with rapid transport by helicopter to Centers of Excellence throughout Illinois and Indiana. Our Learjet 45XRs provide organ recovery, medical charter, and air ambulance services throughout the United States.

Superior Air Med is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).

We provide emergency transport services with air ambulance helicopters and jets for critically ill and injured adults, pediatric, and infant patients (greater than 2.5kg) including:

• Transfers to Higher Levels of Care (ER to ICU, Floor to ICU, ICU to ICU)
• Trauma
• Neurological
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Medical
• Transplant Services
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Transports to Emergency Room
• Long-Distance Transports (Fixed Wing)

• Advanced Patient Assessment
• Cardiac Monitoring
• Airway Management
• Ventilator Management
• CPAP, BIPAP and Heated HFNC
• Advanced Pharmacology
• IV Pump Management and
• Medication Titration
• Blood Product Administration
• Central Line Access and Maintenance
• Femoral Sheath Maintenance
• Doppler Assessment
• Ventricular Assist Device
• Management (LVAD, RVAD, BiVAD, PVAD)
• Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring (Arterial Line, CVP, PAP/Swan Ganz Catheter)
• Transcutaneous, Transvenous, and Epicardial Pacing
• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Management
• Impella Management
• ECMO Transport
• External Ventricular Drain Management
• Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
• Chest Tube Management

Our flight team is comprised of the following highly skilled personnel:

• Critical Care / Flight Paramedics
• Critical Care Transport / Flight Nurses
• Helicopter and Fixed Wing Pilots

Flight paramedics have a minimum of three years of ALS (Advanced Life Support) experience; they also have completed a university-accredited critical care training program (CCEMTP, CCP). Flight nurses have at least three years of critical care experience. Pilots are IFR-rated, with at least 2,000 flight hours.

In addition, clinical team members must participate in ongoing education to remain current in standards of care, achieve board certification (Certified Flight Paramedic or Certified Flight Nurse), and obtain certification in ACLS, PALS, NRP, and Trauma.

Superior Air Med owns three Eurocopter EC135 P2+ twin engine helicopters. Features include:

• 140 mph Cruise Speed
• Single-Pilot IFR (Instrument Flight)
• Autopilot
• Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS)
• Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
• Night vision Goggle Imaging System
• On-board Weather Radar and XM Weather
• Outerlink Satellite Communication and Tracking
• IRIS Flight Data, Audio and Video Recorder
• Multiband Technisonic Radios (VHF, UHF, 700/800)
• Radar Altimeter
• Landing, Search and Pulse Lighting
• Wire Strike Protection Kit
• Fenestron Enclosed Tail Rotor
• Rear-loading with Stretcher
• Electronic Flight Bags with digital references

Superior’s Air Med flight program is fully committed to safety and meets or exceeds FAA/NTSB safety recommendations. An extensive Safety Management System is in place. Superior Air Med helicopters are operated by Metro Aviation, Inc.
49 U.S.C. Section 42302 requires air ambulance providers to share the following contact information: Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75 | US Department of Transportation | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington DC, 20590 | (202) 366-2220 | https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer

Our helicopters based at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, Illinois, provide Scene Response and Interfacility Transport for Illinois and Northwest Indiana. 

Our helicopters can respond to locations within 50 miles within 30 minutes. Although our typical response area is within 100 miles, extended transports up to 250 miles can be performed. Transport by airplane is recommended for long distance transports. 

Public Safety Personnel have a dedicated number for requesting a helicopter to the scene of an incident. Superior Air Med will auto-launch when placed on standby and can be cancelled at no cost. Consider requesting a helicopter if more than 25 minutes from a Level I Trauma Center and:

• Significant MOI (high speed MVC, vehicle vs pedestrian, fall from significant height)
• Injury warranting immediate surgery
• Signs of shock
• Prolonged extrication
• Multiple patients with severe injuries

Landing Zone Criteria

• 100 ft x 100 ft minimum 
  Flat, Firm Surface (pavement preferred)
• Approach/Departure paths clear of obstacles in at least two directions
• Surrounding area clear of loose objects
• All hazards identified, especially nearby power lines
• All drones grounded

Safety Tips

• Identify an LZ Commander and provide their frequency (IREACH, IFERN, Fireground Color, etc.)
• Provide the flight crew a brief of LZ location and hazards
• Never shine lights at approaching aircraft
• Secure loose objects and beware of rotor wash
• Never approach a running aircraft unless directed
• Always stay clear of the tail
• Keep personnel and traffic at least 100 feet away

Contact us to request an LZ Operations Course, information or attendance at your event.

Superior Aviation owns two Learjet 45XR airplanes to provide Air Ambulance transport and Organ Recovery/Transplant services. Features of these midsize, twin engine business jets include: 

• 24/7 availability
• Dual Pilot: Captains with Airline Transport Pilot certification, at least 3,000 hours and airline experience; First officers with at least 1,000 hours
• 51,000 ft ceiling, 529 MPH cruise speed
• Up to nine passengers
• Gogo WiFi
• Galley, Lavatory
• Adjustable configurations for patient transport, transplant teams, and organ perfusion pumps
• Lifeport PLUS Medical System, AeroSled II, Load Ramp, and custom Hillaero equipment mounts

Air Ambulance transports include a Critical Care flight team providing bedside to bedside transport. Ground transport will be provided or arranged by Superior Ambulance as needed.

Superior Air Med airplanes are operated by Jet Logistics, Inc. 

We provide service anywhere in the continental U.S., Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean Islands.

Our practical range is 1,500 miles – beyond this a fuel stop may be required.

Reminder: All passengers traveling domestically must carry a REAL ID or approved equivalent (Passport, Passport Card, DoD ID, Known Traveler ID, etc.), and passengers traveling internationally must carry a valid Passport.

The Superior Air Med Communication Center (SAMCOMM) is a dedicated dispatch center for our helicopters and airplanes, staffed 24/7 by multiple Certified Flight Communicators.

Each SAMCOMM Communication Specialist is responsible for coordinating flight requests, initiating responses, providing logistics support, arranging ground transportation and monitoring aircraft through all segments of transport, ensuring a smooth integration of resources.

Our Communication Specialists coordinate all flights with our air carriers’ Operational Control Centers. These OCCs also follow every flight from start to finish, ensuring all flight operations are accomplished safely and in accordance with federal aviation regulations.