"Traffic Control For Medical Helicopters" - Ohio

[wa8pyr]

Some in the air evac business are calling for centralized dispatching for medical helicopters in Ohio to avoid delays.

However, unless the state runs it (unlikely), no one will support it unless their location is the central dispatch point.

Crowded skies delay landings of medical helicopters | The Columbus Dispatch

[austink]

I would like to see faster responses. Needed down here in the south-east.

[DaveNF2G]

Why not contract with an existing service like Lifecomm? No turf problems because they are in another state altogether and dispatch medical helicopters all over the country.

[comm_manager]

Lifecomm is a proprietary service of the Air Methods Corporation (AMC)- great for programs that are under the ever expanding AMC umbrella, not so great for stand alone part 135 programs or programs with vendors that are not connected to AMC. Consolidated Communications was tried in Colorado about 10 years ago (which I had an unfortunate role in) - and I can assure it doesn't work. What is needed is a strong line from the state EMS office mandating (preferably by legislation) the closest helicopter be utilized for ALL transports, regardless of patient or agency preference. So long as a dispatcher has to piece together which agency wants which helicopter, the dispatch process (even if it is consolidated) will still be delayed. Just my two cents....

[zerg901]

I am pretty sure that the NTSB report on the Flagstaff incident is online. IIRC - one helo was on the right freq but didnt tell the hospital they were enroute - the 2nd helo did call ahead to the hospital, but not via the common freq. Therefore - neither helo realized that the other was in the area.

All med helos flying in the Boston area seem to communicate with the Boston MedFlight dispatcher - no matter where they are coming from or going to.

Peter Sz

[DaveNF2G]

All helicopters coming to Albany (NY) Medical Center coordinate through LifeComm, regardless of operator or state of origin.