I took Susan to rehab at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital and got to see a helicopter come in to move a patient. The Air Evac Lifeteam landed on the helispot and soon had a patient loaded and transported to another hospital. These helicopters and crews save lives every day. Our house at Belle Prairie is on the flight path between Mt. Vernon, IL and Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, and they run any hour, day or night, when there is an emergency. They rattle the windows and we know someone is getting help.
Eagle handles most of the contracts in the Western states. They'll fly in any condition. As a pilot and knowing some of their pilots, I know that's not exactly true. But as for mission ready, I think the only more ready would be in a combat zone. You really have to hand it to medevac flight crew, which includes the flight nurses.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when something goes wrong, it goes terribly wrong. Usually every dies. Those guys are out there at the edges of the envelope near every day and night.
They often have to land out in the landscape without people trained in working with helicopters. It is a risk filled job. The last time I had a class was in '08, so I just want to stay out of the way.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son Fred flies for a company called Stat. He has had a number of sad stories but also a number of heartwarming ones. Best of all is when the family tracks him down to say thank you for saving their loved one.
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