Air Corps involvement in HEMS service.

[Blue Monday]

Here is a pilot project that has just kicked off using an Air Corps EC135 in the EMS role. It seems the ground ambulance will attend the scene first and if the patient is in a critical condition, will call in the air ambulance and meet somewhere along the route towards the hospital.
 
"http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2012/0521/media-3293486.html"]Six One News: Aero-medical helicopter to serve western seaboard - RT News Player
 
"http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/2381/2012-21/Cautious-welcome-for-air-ambulance-service"]Cautious welcome for air ambulance service - News - Galway Independent

"http://www.waypointmagazine.com/story373"]Pilot aeromedical service for Ireland | Waypoint AirMed and Rescue Magazine
 
It's a step in the right direction and hopefully will lead to a proper air ambulance service here.
 
BM.
 
P.S. At about 15:20 today, an IAC EC135 went into University Hospital in Galway. Maybe that's the first "shout" for this new service.

[Shamrock145]

Best of luck to all involved.

Does anyone know if the operation is 1 x EC135 "on call" and the second on stand by or is it only one aircraft deployed in total?

Secondly, is it operated under the same rules as the sister 135's in the GASU on 24x7? I assume they will suffix "Ambulance" to the call-sign when patients are on board.

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[Shamrock145]

Being reported elsewhere that the aircraft assigned to the role has been involved in a wire strike while on call to the Limerick region.

Hope all are OK.


Early news reports;

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/three-air-corps-crew-injured-as-helicopter-crashes-555914.html

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