Cal-Ore Life Flight merges with Santa Rosa firm

Homegrown Cal-Ore Life Flight merged with Reach Air Medical Services of Santa Rosa earlier this month.

The merger creates a comprehensive network of air and medical transportation in California and Oregon, said Cal-Ore CEO Dan Brattain, who will join the Reach Medical Holdings, LLC board of directors.

All of Cal-Ore’s 70 employees will join the ranks of Reach’s 300-employee roster.

“It’s pretty much business as usual,” said Brattain.

Some of Cal-Ore’s administrative functions will be transitioned to Reach, including financial services, human resources, risk management, business development and referral management. Reach will also provide increased clinical training and marketing support, according to a Dec. 5 press release.

“The combined companies will provide enhanced emergency and critical care transport services to our customers through the integration of ground, airplane, and helicopter services. This comprehensive offering will be managed through Reach’s First Call regional referral center. The merger will help solidify the companies’ strong growth opportunities with key healthcare systems, hospitals, and communities,” Brattain said in the release.

Cal-Ore operates eight ground ambulances, seven fixed-wing air ambulances and a remote scene support helicopter, as well as a facility providing aviation products.

Reach began providing air ambulance services with a single helicopter and base of operations in Santa Rosa in 1987 and now has bases located throughout California, Oregon and Texas.

Brattain stressed that Cal-Ore’s service delivery to the local communities will not change, but will continue to operate with the “same employees, management, medical transport vehicles/aircraft, and FAA operating authority, all under the Cal-Ore Life Flight name.”  

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