New HEMS helicopters for British Columbia
Ascent Helicopters has received a C$554.4 million (US$410.68 million) contract to supply aircraft to BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS)
The company will provide six air ambulance helicopters to the British Columbia-based agency, for use in delivering helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).
The helicopters are expected to be delivered sometime between autumn 2024 and spring 2025, according to local news outlet Nanaimo News Now.
The helicopters will replace six older aircraft, and are expected to provide improvements to technology, equipment and operational efficiency.
One rotorcraft will be based out of the province’s Central Island, while the other five will be located elsewhere. The aircraft are expected to serve communities such as Kamloops, Prince George, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver.
BCEHS announced that it would keep blood at its Kamloops base in August 2023.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.