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Boston MedFlight: 'We need to be there when people need us'

BOSTON — It’s the busiest time of year for the local non-profit medical agency Boston MedFlight. They recently allowed Boston 25 News anchor Blair Miller to fly along to see how crews handle the most critical cases and witness the life and death difference they're making with each call.

Last year, Boston MedFlight transported 4,000 people and they're on pace for more this year. Trauma calls make up just about 20 percent of their responses.

The crew, including Pilot Mark Scoville, is highly qualified and charged with keep people alive while flying thousands of feet in the air.

The day we flew with MedFlight, the helicopter was transporting a patient from one hospital to the next.  Those types of flights make up a majority of their calls.

The heart of summer is their busiest time “We do a lot from the Cape and islands. Obviously, with the tourist season, we're going to do a lot more off the islands,” said Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes.

Boston MedFlight recently was certified to do its own maintenance, which they believe will help improve response times.

Last year the agency gave away $3 million in unreimbursed care.

“The most important thing for us is, we need to be there when people need us,” said Hughes.