Williston Fire Chief explains Care Flight services, cost

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - Williston will have a fixed wing ambulance service starting this summer. Fire Chief Matt Clark said a local aircraft is needed.

To help with the staffing of Williston Care Flight, the Williston Fire Department is hiring three air paramedics and three air nurses to contract with the company. Clark said the preliminary financial data shows the program could generate enough revenue to cover its own cost and provide a positive impact for taxpayers.

“Any additional revenue that comes from this, we’re going to be placing into a capital revenue fund that will be used to pay for medical equipment and ambulances and reduce the overall need on property taxes and increased levies on the general fund,” said Clark.

Williston was left without a local service provider in 2023 after Guardian Flight shut down.

Clark said the fire department received more than 400 calls in 2024 for a fixed wing transfer that had to come from other cities. Due to timing, Clark said ground ambulances had to be used instead.

Clark added that medical helicopter services were called on significantly less compared to fixed wing.