By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) is taking steps toward potentially operating its own ground ambulance service in Graham County, aiming to improve emergency response times and overall pre-hospital care for residents in this rural region of southeastern Arizona.
“We feel like the current ambulance service in the Gila Valley could be much better,” said Danny Smith, MGRMC’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations.
MGRMC currently serves as the primary hospital and base hospital for pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS) in Graham County and parts of neighboring Greenlee County. It provides medical oversight, protocols, training, quality improvement, and transport guidelines for EMS providers, but does not directly operate ambulances.
That could change. Smith presented to the Pima Town Council during its Tuesday night meeting, requesting a letter of support from the council for the hospital to establish a county-wide ambulance service. MGRMC will need approval from the Arizona Department of Health Services via a Certificate of Necessity (CON), and letters of community support are an important part of the application process, which could take up to a year.
A Community Anchor Since 1973
MGRMC opened on Dec. 3, 1973, originally as Mt. Graham Community Hospital. It has long served as a vital healthcare anchor in the area. In the early years, ambulance services were often basic and either volunteer-driven or hospital-supported, with EMTs providing initial stabilization and transport using modified vehicles or even hearses from local funeral homes. Over time, care has become more structured and professional.
Today, ground ambulance services (both 911 emergency responses and interfacility transports) in Graham County are provided by private companies that hold Certificates of Necessity, which are regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The main provider is LifeLine Ambulance Service, based in Safford, which handles emergency calls and transports, staffed by crews of paramedics and EMTs.
Smith told the Pima council that the hospital is committed to ongoing improvements in its facilities and services, and adding ambulance operations would bring further benefits to the community.
The Pima Town Council agreed that a community-based ambulance service would help all local communities and directed Mayor Brian Paull to draft a letter of support. Smith noted that MGRMC plans to seek similar letters from other entities and organizations throughout Graham County.
“We are community-owned and governed and will seek support from all the entities and organizations in Graham County,” Smith told the Gila Herald. “More than anything, we are responding to the need and feel a responsibility to provide greater availability, faster response, and more capable ambulance service.”
Ground Service Only; Air Options Remain Strong
The proposed new service would focus exclusively on ground ambulances. Air ambulance options are already available in the region and would continue to play a key role for longer-distance or critical transfers.
Ponderosa Aviation (which operates both Ponderosa Ground Ambulance and Ponderosa Air Ambulance), based at Safford Regional Airport since 1975, provides supplemental ground transports—primarily interfacility—and air ambulance services. It frequently works in coordination with the hospital. Dr. Rex Bryce, a surgeon with ties to MGRMC, is the owner of Ponderosa, and local physicians helped establish reliable air transport to address challenges in ground response.
Air medical capabilities have advanced significantly, enabling faster critical care transports. In March 2025, MGRMC announced a new agreement with PHI Air Medical to enhance helicopter services in the Gila Valley region.
MGRMC officials believe that adding a hospital-operated ground ambulance service would complement existing providers and strengthen the overall EMS system for Graham County residents. The hospital will continue gathering community input and support as it moves forward with the Certificate of Necessity application.
