New medical transportation equipment on display at Air & Medical Transport Conference in Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- According to the Association of Air Medical Services, more than 555,000 patients in the U.S. use air ambulance every year. The Association is holding a big conference at the Phoenix Convention Center this week, where thousands of medical transport professionals are learning about the future of better patient care.

On display at this year's convention: what's changing the future for better patient care, such as making air and ground medical transportation faster and more convenient for those carrying your life in their hands.

"The sole purpose of our industry is to save lives, and to bring 2,400 people together that can help save lessons learned, help share their best practices is something that's very important for both our industry and the patients," said President and CEO of Association of Air Medical Services, Rick Sherlock.

The three-day conference covers new ways of high quality safety for air medical transportation, and more advanced technology that furthers communication between medical transport professionals and hospitals.

FOX 10's Carmen Blackwell reports.