Arizona regulators on Tuesday gave the green light to Rural/Metro Corp.'s purchase of rival Professional Medical Transport, creating one dominant ambulance company in metro Phoenix.

Nearly four years to the day that Air Evac Lifeteam began operation from a Rushville base, the medical air transport operation will leave our community.

Cascade Medical Transport closed last week, creating some questions about the impact of having one less local ambulance service. The shutdown already has slightly increased the workload for Bend Fire and Rescue, and also at St. Charles Medical Center -Bend.