New Helipad Opens in Bar Harbor to Support Medevac Operations
BAR HARBOR, Maine – A new, permanent helipad in downtown Bar Harbor will officially open for medevac operations on Friday, October 3. It will significantly enhance swift access to advanced care for critically ill and injured patients in Bar Harbor and surrounding areas by allowing LifeFlight of Maine helicopters to land close to the Mount Desert Island Hospital year-round.
LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only air ambulance service, was founded in 1998. Since that time, its helicopters have landed on the baseball field across Main Street from MDI Hospital. When the weather was bad or the ground was unsuitable to support an aircraft, LifeFlight would land its helicopter at the Bar Harbor ferry terminal. This required the patient to be transported in an ambulance approximately ten minutes from the hospital to the waiting helicopter. The new helipad reduces the amount of time patients spend in transit by eliminating the need for an ambulance ride to the ferry terminal when the baseball field is unsuitable for landing. The surface is paved and has lights that turn on automatically as the aircraft approaches, which also enhances safety for flight operations.
Construction of the new helipad began this summer after funds were successfully raised for the project. A private foundation with strong ties to the Bar Harbor community made a significant donation to the LifeFlight Foundation to support the initiative. Another donor based in Bar Harbor made a contribution that will be given to the Town of Bar Harbor to support a maintenance fund for the helipad. MDI Hospital also contributed generously to the project.
While LifeFlight expects to use it most often, the town-owned helipad can be utilized by any emergency helicopter. Nearly all of the 35 hospitals in Maine have permanent helicopter landing areas. The completion of this helipad in Bar Harbor is an important advancement for access to critical care in this community.
There will be a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the helipad held on October 3, 2025. The event will begin at 11:00 AM at 349 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609. The helipad is located at the corner of the athletic field at the intersection of Park Street and Main Street.
Comments from Community Leaders:
“LifeFlight is committed to working closely with the Town of Bar Harbor and MDI Hospital to help patients access the care they need. This year-round helipad creates better access for patients, as well as smoother and faster transitions of patients into LifeFlight’s care,” said Joe Kellner, CEO of LifeFlight of Maine. “LifeFlight is much more than just helicopters. Hospital helipads are critical access points to specialty medical care. One of LifeFlight’s core goals is to facilitate the development of this infrastructure in Maine so we can get you to the care that you need.”
“The new helipad is a vital resource for our Island community, ensuring that patients in need of advanced emergency care can be transported quickly and safely when every second counts,” said Chrissi Maguire, President/CEO of MDI Hospital. “Our partnership with LifeFlight strengthens our ability to provide lifesaving care close to home and reflects our shared commitment to the health and safety of our region.”
“Since LifeFlight started providing services to Bar Harbor, we have depended on seasonal temporary landing zones. With the new, year-round landing pad, we can shorten turnaround times between the landing zone and patients transferring from Mount Desert Island Hospital,” said Bar Harbor Fire Chief Matthew Bartlett. “This landing pad will offer a reliable location for the Island EMS agencies that may need to transfer patients directly from the scene to LifeFlight.”
