https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/247-emergency-helicopter-service-whiteside-county-airport/526-6c466c18-9438-4533-949c-b37725d3adb4?fbclid=IwAR2DqWP5Nfn09kONvGa2ycuewYVmAjJ5DDHf6sTu1gb6OGwdwUpBWF6RUMA

didnt they just close a base nearby base and lay off all the staff....? 

they moved the base somewhere else...and offered the crews the option...some didn't take it because of the distance so yes THEY left...they weren't let go...just shuffling bases around....if you have been in this industry long enough you see it alot.....close one location and relocate it to another....same amount of aircraft just different location now....i have seen programs do that with DRAMA bases to split everyone up because of internal conflict...move the base 2hrs away, knowing that they won't commute....i.e.  PHI base in KY they did that to years ago