Firefighters seek compensation for LifeFlight assists

SUNDANCE — The Sundance Fire Department is regularly asked to be on hand when LifeFlight is called to transport a patient from Sundance but gets no reimbursement for this service.

This can sometimes mean spending a period of time awaiting LifeFlight’s arrival, only to find out that the call has been cancelled or is not possible for some reason. It’s a significant time investment for firefighters who operate on a volunteer basis.

Wondering if there might be a fix for this problem, Fire Chief Curt Williamson approached Crook County Medical Services District.

“The question was whether or not they could get some form of reimbursement for their time in this – not necessarily from us, but from someone,” said CEO Micki Lyons.

Lyons told the Board of Trustees that she has a meeting set up with LifeFlight to find out what they do in other small communities.

“We want to work with the city, the county, the community – we want to do right by people, so we’ll figure something out,” said Lyons.

Noting that this doesn’t happen in Hulett as LifeFlight lands at the airport, Chairman Sandy Neiman asked why the company cannot be prevailed upon to solve the issue.

“If LifeFlight is requesting that service, why can LifeFlight not just adjust their billing to reimburse the fire service?” she asked.

“That’s the question,” said Lyons, explaining that this is why she has set up the meeting. “They don’t know that there’s a problem if nobody tells them there’s a concern.”

Lyons stated that she will report her progress to the board and Williamson as the conversation evolves.

This story was published on March 6, 2025.