Hyde County deploys eVTOL aircraft for emergency medical response

Hyde County, North Carolina, has become the first US county to use an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in live emergency medical response, according to Hyde County EMS, Code Blue Resources, and Pivotal.

Two 911 missions saw flight-trained paramedic Quinn Reece pilot a Pivotal eVTOL directly to patients, with one aircraft arriving about 20 minutes before the responding ground ambulance. Reece, the sole advanced life support (ALS) provider aboard, carried a cardiac monitor, airway equipment, and a response bag, allowing assessment and treatment to begin at the scene.

The missions followed months of operational planning and more than 300 training sorties. The partners developed what they described as the first concept of operations for integrating an eVTOL into emergency medical services in the USA. Akute Networks served as aviation program manager.

Hyde County covers almost 1,500 square miles of land and water, creating significant geographic challenges for ground response.

“Every decision we make is about getting advanced care to our citizens faster,” said Hyde County EMS Chief Brook Cox. “These missions proved that we can overcome distance, reach patients sooner, and redefine emergency response in rural communities.”

Unlike conventional medical helicopters, the eVTOL can land in relatively small clearings and on surfaces including grass and pavement. The aircraft is being used for rapid delivery of medical personnel rather than patient transport.

Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin said the program showed that emergency response could be “measured in minutes saved” rather than miles travelled, particularly where waterways and other geographic barriers delayed ground crews.

The partners said the Hyde County model could inform future deployments of advanced air mobility for emergency medical response.