Latest news with #BK117
Global News
4 days ago
- Health
- Global News
HALO Air Ambulance expands fleet of helicopters
For years, HALO Air Ambulance has been a lifesaving service in the skies above southern Alberta. It's a resource nobody wants to use, but when they do need it, it's the most welcome sight in the world. 'Very grateful and will always be grateful for HALO and what they've done for my family,' said Aaron Fleming, whose daughter was rescued by a HALO crew in 2020 when on a ski trip in Elkwater. '(HALO made sure) that we were able to continue planning family vacations rather than a family funeral.' He says his daughter, who was 16 years old at the time, hit a tree when on the slopes and, if it wasn't for HALO, things would have turned out drastically different. 'She would have died if it wasn't for HALO.' Story continues below advertisement His daughter's rescue came during a rough year for the air ambulance as they were on the brink of shutting down entirely. 'In 2020, when the announcement was that they would potentially have to close their doors due to no funding, it was something that tugged at my heartstrings,' said Fleming. He had, earlier in the year, made a significant donation to HALO, believing it was too valuable of a resource to risk losing, but when HALO needed him, he and his family needed them. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'HALO saved her life when we were trying to save HALO.' Now, five years after the organization was nearly grounded for good, HALO Air Ambulance has doubled its fleet with the addition of a new helicopter. View image in full screen HALO-1 is the newest addition to the HALO Air Ambulance fleet of helicopters. Jordan Prentice/Global News 'It's a BK 117, which is the same helicopter we've been flying for years (but) it has bigger engines, so more performance,' said Paul Carolan, CEO of HALO. Story continues below advertisement He says being able to move as the crow flies, avoiding roads while cruising at over 250 km/h makes a huge difference when seconds can be vital to saving a life. 'In a perfect world, we would never fly, but that's not the world we live in. We do live in remote and rural Alberta and we don't have all the resources that the big centres have, so this is the way that we can get people where they need to go as quickly as possible,' said Carolan. The new machine is a serious improvement for HALO, especially when operating in the arid summer conditions around Medicine Hat. 'It doesn't fly any faster or any higher, but in hot temperatures or with heavy loads, it gives us better performance for landing on scene and landing at hospitals.' It's more than just being an air ambulance, however, as HALO's range also keeps community paramedics in their towns for future emergencies. 'When that call comes in, we can get those advance care paramedics to the person and that has a byproduct of leaving that community paramedic in that community. Now, instead of having a long transport time to Medicine Hat, Lethbridge or Calgary, we land on scene, work with that team, take the patient and get them where they need to go but that paramedic and that ambulance stay in their community. So, if another call comes in, now you still have that resource.' Story continues below advertisement The new helicopter is going to take the name of HALO-1, becoming the primary ambulance for the team. Meanwhile, the older HALO-2 will be used as a backup if maintenance is required on HALO-1. View image in full screen HALO-2 is the older aircraft with HALO Air Ambulance. Jordan Prentice/Global News Completing its first emergency call on June 29 in the Bow Island area, HALO-1 has officially entered the service. 'We can be there when the call comes in and truthfully, that's all that matters,' said Carolan.
Cision Canada
09-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Airmedic Selects ImageTrend to Strengthen Aeromedical Response Across Québec
EAGAN, Minn., May 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- ImageTrend, a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for EMS, fire, and hospital services, is pleased to announce its partnership with Airmedic, an aeromedical provider based in Québec. Airmedic is a private air medical transport company that provides rapid response nationally and internationally, 24/7, handling about 1,000 cases each year. Their specialized medical teams ensure safe, efficient, and compassionate care by either airplane or helicopter. This collaboration brings modern clinical documentation and operational tools to Airmedic's highly trained team of Critical Care Paramedics, Nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors. Equipped with these tools, the team enables improved data accuracy, streamlined workflows, and faster coordination across air-based medical response efforts. With built-in flexibility and powerful reporting capabilities, the solution will help Airmedic deliver efficient, high-quality care in even the most remote locations. "We're honored to partner with Airmedic and support their mission of delivering high-quality care to patients throughout the province of Quebec and abroad," said Patrick Sheahan, President and CEO of ImageTrend. "Their commitment to innovation and patient care makes them an ideal partner, and we look forward to supporting their team with solutions that meet the unique demands of aeromedical response." Airmedic will benefit from both online and offline functionality, secure data sharing, and configurable reporting—all designed to improve operational efficiency, support clinical excellence in the air and on the ground, and enhance overall service quality. This partnership also underscores ImageTrend's continued growth in Canada, where its solutions are helping agencies of all sizes advance their documentation workflows, interoperability, and data-informed decision-making. To learn more about the ImageTrend platform, visit Airmedic is a Quebec-based company specializing in rapid airborne medical transport and repatriation services by helicopter and airplane, available 24/7. It operates its own fleet of six Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, two Learjets, and four BK117 helicopters, exclusively dedicated to medical transport and inter-hospital transfers. Airmedic also runs a state-of-the-art coordination center operating around the clock. It is the first private air medical evacuation company in Quebec to receive Transport Canada certification for night flying with night vision goggles, as well as the QMENTUM accreditation from Accreditation Canada for the quality of its care and services. About ImageTrend ImageTrend transforms incident data into actionable intelligence, empowering frontline teams to effectively manage surging demands and resource constraints, driving impactful change in the communities it supports. Founded in 1998, the company serves more than 3,100 customers including 20,000 agencies across Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Hospital segments. With its deep industry knowledge and advanced data analytics capabilities, the software provider helps its customers streamline operations, shape long-term strategies, and dramatically improve outcomes. Its comprehensive software solutions and dedicated team provide the confidence and intelligence first providers need to tackle today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's uncertainties.
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Eastland rescue service to get $20m state-of-the-art helicopter
But it is still more than 12 months earlier than expected for what is described as 'a game-changer in the industry'. The five-bladed, twin-engined H145 helicopter is a significant step up from the trust's current BK117 and comes with enhanced patient and crew comfort features, longer mission range through greater fuel capacity and an increased weight limit, enabling transport of multiple patients and whānau. At about $20 million, it does not come cheap. The actual purchase will be made by Search and Rescue Services (SRS), a not-for-profit company formed by five North Island trusts, including EHRT, to deliver air ambulance and rescue helicopter services across the North Island from Wellington to south of the Bombay Hills. While EHRT initially had to come up with a deposit, that and the overall purchase price will be returned through a joint funding agreement with central Government. 'Supplying the deposit is a big outing for EHRT trustees, current and past, who accumulated funds through grants, fundraising, donations and bequests, and we are thrilled to have achieved this milestone,' Parker said. 'There will be additional investment required for further training of our already highly-skilled crews, and for medical equipment that the new machine will provide opportunities to deliver. 'But together with the incredible support we receive from our community, trustees remain committed to achieving these goals.' While this week's confirmation had been years in the making, Parker acknowledged the input of current Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, who had been strong advocates for the service and the region. Kirkpatrick was delighted the Government had funded the upgrade, which she said 'would not have been possible without great community support'. 'The people of Tairāwhiti have fought long and hard for this service and have supported it with enormous generosity. 'It is not just those who live remotely that rely on the rescue helicopter. The service is there for anyone who travels in and out of our region ... you never know when you will need it.' The acquisition is a double-win for Gisborne base manager Shaun Stewart because, as a pilot, he will get to fly the new helicopter. The H145 featured improved performance, safety and capability, including autopilot and advanced technology to reduce pilot workload, he said. 'Our air crew officers and critical care flight paramedics will also benefit and with increased space and a more efficient cabin, our medics will have a larger, optimised work area to improve workflow and overall efficiency. 'The entire team is excited about the impending arrival of the H145 that will serve our region by carrying us and our patients for decades to come.' The current Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter, though second-hand, had been upgraded and continued to serve the region well, Parker said. 'But with a three-year wait for new rescue helicopters and growing global demand, the time to secure a new one was critical. 'Cyclone Gabrielle reinforced the importance of having modern, fit-for-purpose equipment and infrastructure. 'The new helicopter will help provide that peace of mind our community needs, increasing our ability to provide the equity of access to healthcare so critical to our large and complex region.'
