LifeNet EMS Ambulance & Air Medic History
While the name LifeNet, Inc. has only been in use since October 1993, the concept for the company began ten years earlier in 1983 . At that time, Don and Mary Ruggles had a desire to honor their son Tony by providing a service unheard of in this area – a helicopter to fly sick and injured into the Texarkana area or elsewhere if needed.
It was their belief that Tony would have lived if a helicopter had been available on the day of his fatal hunting accident.
With the help of Mr. Tom Bryne, Mr. Roy Morgan, and St. Michael Hospital, this dream was realized with the first full time air medical service in the state of Arkansas.
Several years later, in 1988, St. Michael realized that more was needed and started a ground ambulance service to cover Western Bowie County with 2 ambulances and 6 staff members.
In October 1993, St. Michael Hospital and Wadley Regional Medical Center joined together to form a separate not-for-profit Arkansas corporation – LifeNet, Inc.
In October 2005, LifeNet entered into agreements to purchase the assets of St. Joseph ’s Mercy Health Center ’s Life Mobile and National Park Medical Center EMS. Through a joint agreement, St. Joseph ’s Mercy Health Center ’s Life Mobile and National Park Medical Center EMS provided exclusive emergency and non-emergency ambulance service for the City of Hot Springs and Garland County . During the month of September 2005, the City of Hot Springs approved assignment of the ambulance contract to LifeNet and the new service began operating on October 8, 2005 .
LifeNet currently covers Texarkana, AR., and Texarkana, TX., Bowie County, Miller County, Red River County, Cass County and Garland County with 33 ground units, a fully equipped Disaster Response Unit, and a helicopter. We also have access to a fixed wing airplane for longer distance transfers.
LifeNet currently employs over 150 full time employees with approximately 40 call-in-relief employees.