St. Luke's LifeGuard Air Ambulance

St. Luke's LifeGuard Air Ambulance LifeGuard Air Ambulance serves the Cedar Rapids community and surrounding areas with around-the-clock emergency and critical care transport.

LifeGuard Air Ambulance is UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital’s emergency helicopter. The blue helicopter has been a familiar sight in the skies around Eastern Iowa since February 23, 1981. LifeGuard is called to many emergencies in Eastern Iowa: including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and surrounding communities. From car accidents to cardiac arrest to seizures once the Bell 407 is dispatche

d the crew is airborne in six minutes or less - flying at speeds up to 160 mph. Speed, advanced on-board medical equipment and the expertise of the crew all add up to a better chance of survival and recovery. LifeGuard is staffed 24 hours a day for transport to the hospital of the patient or family's choice, or to the nearest appropriate facility.

This week we hosted a little show and tell about the helicopter and air ambulance operations through the Cedar Rapids Fi...
06/26/2026

This week we hosted a little show and tell about the helicopter and air ambulance operations through the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and Cedar Rapids Police Department Hero Camp. Thanks for dropping by!

A little sunset view to brighten up this dreary, rainy day.There’s nothing quite like seeing LifeGuard against a beautif...
06/05/2026

A little sunset view to brighten up this dreary, rainy day.

There’s nothing quite like seeing LifeGuard against a beautiful Iowa sky. Until the sun comes back out, we’ll enjoy this view from a better weather day.

Photo credit: Alex Fink

Image description: a helicopter landing on a helipad against a sunset background.

06/01/2026

Some landings just feel a little more meaningful.

After a record-breaking month in LifeGuard program history, we are grateful for every patient and family who trusted our team, and for every partner who helped make each flight possible.

Proud to call UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids home.



Video Description: LifeGuard Air Ambulance Medical Helicopter landing at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA after a patient transport. Logo and text overlays for UnityPoint Health, LifeGuard, Med-Trans Corporation, and CAMTS.

Happy Memorial Day! Please take a moment to remember and honor those we have lost protecting our freedom.Image Descripti...
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! Please take a moment to remember and honor those we have lost protecting our freedom.

Image Description: A helicopter flying with a flag waving. Text over the image "Memorial Day, remember and honor. This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

What a beautiful day to fly!Huge shoutout to today’s LifeGuard crew — Alex, Morgan, and Zarick — for making the most of ...
05/24/2026

What a beautiful day to fly!

Huge shoutout to today’s LifeGuard crew — Alex, Morgan, and Zarick — for making the most of a busy day in the air. With great weather, strong teamwork, and steady communication, they kept the missions moving and took excellent care of the patients and communities we serve.

Extra congratulations to Zarick, who completed his first four-flight day since joining our program!

Great work, team!

Image description: A celebratory photo of three flight team members standing in front of a blue and silver medical helicopter.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital LifeGuard Ai...
05/18/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital LifeGuard Air Ambulance will soon transition to a Bell 429 helicopter as Med-Trans Corporation updates the aircraft supporting the program. The Bell 429 is widely used in air medical transport and features modern safety technology and a spacious cabin that supports patient care during transport.

This transition represents the next phase of the LifeGuard Air Ambulance program’s ongoing air medical transport services for Eastern Iowa and surrounding communities and reflects the dedication of the LifeGuard team, the trust of EMS and hospital partners, and a continued commitment to delivering high-quality, timely care.

Med-Trans provides LifeGuard with the helicopter, traditional aviation services, including training, maintenance, pilot coverage and back-up aircraft as needed.

Image Description: Blue and white LifeGuard Bell 429 air ambulance helicopter with text announcing, ‘Coming Soon Bell 429’ and highlighting faster response, advanced critical care, and 24/7 readiness serving Iowa communities. Logos for CAMTS, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital and MedTrans included.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸!This week, we celebrate the EMS professionals who answer the call with skill, compassion, and co...
05/17/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸!

This week, we celebrate the EMS professionals who answer the call with skill, compassion, and commitment every day. Thank you for the care you provide, the communities you serve, and the difference you make.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting announcement as we celebrate the future of LifeGuard Air Ambulance.

Photo credit: Johnny DeRaad

Image Description: Happy National EMS Week graphic with EMS professionals, an ambulance, and a helicopter. The text honors EMS professionals for their skill, compassion, and commitment.

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤! 🚔💙LifeGuard Air Ambulance would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the law ...
05/10/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤! 🚔💙

LifeGuard Air Ambulance would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities every day.

Your dedication, courage, and commitment do not go unnoticed. From keeping our communities safe to helping secure landing zones and ensuring the safety of our flight crews on scene, your partnership is an essential part of what allows us to care for patients safely and effectively.

To all of our law enforcement partners, we thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued support of LifeGuard Air Ambulance.
Happy National Law Enforcement Week! 💙🚁

Happy Mother’s Day! 📷 by Mama Dawn Brus!
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day! 📷 by Mama Dawn Brus!

🚁 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞🚁LifeGuard Air Ambulance is proud to announce the promotion of 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐟...
04/24/2026

🚁 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞🚁

LifeGuard Air Ambulance is proud to announce the promotion of 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐝, 𝐌𝐒𝐍, 𝐑𝐍, 𝐂𝐅𝐑𝐍, 𝐂𝐏𝐄𝐍, 𝐂𝐄𝐍, 𝐀𝐄𝐌𝐓, to the newly added role of 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫.

This expanded leadership role was created to support the continued growth, development, and operational advancement of the LifeGuard team as the program moves into the next chapter of air-medical transport.

Cody has played an important role in LifeGuard’s continued success, including helping organize the program’s initial CAMTS accreditation and successfully leading the team through re-accreditation. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Dennis Rohlfs Award, recognizing extraordinary leadership, positive influence, and meaningful accomplishments that serve patients and the HEMS community.

Please join us in congratulating Cody on this well-deserved promotion and expanded leadership role within LifeGuard Air Ambulance!

Address

1026 A Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, IA
52402

Telephone

+18002236627

Website

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