EMERGENCY RESPONSE FROM ABOVE
Sometimes you must look to the skies to get that critical trauma victim the help that they need.
Imagine that you just arrived at the scene of twisted metal and blood. Of all the victims there is one that, you know, needs immediate help from a Level-1 Trauma Center. But the mountain roads you are on, as well as the location of the closest Level-1 hospital, could take too long; your patient doesn’t have that kind of time. An Air Medical crew is called for, and you package your patient, load him into your rig, and get him to the closest “landing zone” (i.e.: a traffic circle, an empty school yard, the remains of a commuter parking lot…) where you will meet up with an Air Ambulance. Yes, sometimes help comes from “above”.
When we think of “ambulance transports”, we usually think only of road vehicles rushing down a highway or winding through city streets. There are also “Air Ambulances”, both helicopters and fixed wing planes. Their crews are highly trained, like our ground ambulance crews, and are often staffed by Pilots, Flight Paramedics, Nurses, crucial medical gear, and advanced aviation equipment. Air transports may be utilized in situations where every moment can mean the difference between life and death; air transports may also be utilized when the patient needs transfer to a specialized, or closer to home, facility.
A NYS specialized Helicopter Flight Paramedics Program focuses on advanced air medical services. The program provides training for paramedics in helicopter operations, emphasizes critical care skills for high-stress environments, enhances teamwork between ground and air medical teams, offers hands-on experience with aviation safety protocols, and flight paramedics are prepared to handle emergency rapid patient transport. Just like street-level ambulance crews, every air crew member must always be ready to, literally, fly into action.
Although fewer than EMS street level, there are services which provide the faster air transport in NYS. The following criteria is recommended when considering use of an air medical service: The patient’s condition is a “life or limb” threatening situation demanding intensive multidisciplinary treatment and care. This may include but not be limited to: Patients with physical findings defined in the adult and pediatric major trauma protocols; Critically ill medical patients requiring care at a specialized center to include, but not be limited to: acute stroke or ST elevation MI as defined by NYS protocol; and/or Patients in cardiac arrest who are not hypothermic should be excluded from these criteria.
One Air Ambulance Company, LifeNet, explains, “In the NY program, we operate 10 helicopters and 1 airplane. Our flight crews bring critical care directly to the patient, whether on a scene or in a hospital, and quickly deliver them to a specialty center that can manage their condition. Each aircraft is staffed 24/7 with a pilot, a flight paramedic, and a flight nurse. Our highly experienced pilots undergo rigorous training to qualify in their assigned aircraft and regularly demonstrate proficiency to maintain their credentials. Our clinicians are trained well above their standard scope of practice as nurses and paramedics. Each are specially qualified as critical care providers.”
Dispatch, Police, Fire or EMS will evaluate the situation/condition and if necessary, may place the helicopter/plane on standby.
I'm a former NYS EMT and still part of an EMS & FD family. I like to think I can write ;)
