First full HEMS for Mexico

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance has announced the beginning of a ‘new era’ in Mexico’s rotor-wing air ambulance operations began on 24 November with the arrival of a twin-engine BO105. The machine is the only rotorcraft outfitted for dedicated helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) missions in the country, said the company.

With the delivery, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which was established over 15 years ago to offer international fixed-wing air ambulance flights, has launched the new service under the name of Heli Rescue.

“We are very excited to begin performing life-saving missions regionally in our new BO105,” said Carlos Salinas, CEO of Jet Rescue. “We have invested in a medical helicopter, because we truly believe there is a serious need of this service in the country.”

The helicopter will assist in with both emergency calls and interfacility transfers within 180 km (110 miles) of Mexico City. It comes equipped with a double-stretchers interior. The configuration and equipment is similar to the German HEMS standard, according to Carlos Salinas.

The company noted that the entry into service of the helicopter represents a ‘very important step for Jet Rescue in Mexico’, adding that given that in markets such as Europe and the US there’s an average of one to two EMS helicopters per million inhabitants, Mexico City alone would need about eight to nine such aircraft.

Heli Rescue’s medical personnel have been trained with various different HEMS programmes in the US, including Lee County EMS, which was the former owner of the aircraft. Training included crew resource management, familiarisation with the aircraft and safety.