New mercy ship

[Rat]

The local news had a story on a new mercy ship based out of Thermal, Ca. Just nice to see a company expanding in these times. There's hope for all of us students. Dedication, motivation and we will all make it !!!

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Yep, I know one of the pilots there. They just opened up a few months ago. On another note. REACH is also putting a B222 in Palm Springs right next to Thermal. So could get interesting. I think now there are to many helicopters there if that happens. Mercy is also in Banning.

 

JD

[arotrhd]

REACH also is basing in Antelope Valley....

 

The ship down at Thermal was somewhat of a no-brainer due to the constant callouts to Glamis, dunes and Coachella Valley.

 

Back to REACH: IMHO, it's pretty interesting that they are on the doorstep of what 'was' well defended Air'M/Mercy Air territory. And it aint over...there may very likely be a new air med program based on the western edge of San Berdo county, with possibly a dedicated fire ship later (programs for a small city). Should be fun to watch.

 

-WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Don't forget there is CareFlight in Yuma with 2 ships ready to go to the dunes as well. We are actualy a lot closer to Glamis.

 

 

Interesting that REACH is looking at SoCal. I am guessing the 222 they are putting in Thermal is one from IL?

 

JD

[Rat]

JD, any idea on the time frame for the Palm Springs ship ?

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Not sure yet. I'll let you know when I find out. REACH is a good company to work for and it's good to see them expanding.

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Looks like REACH will be in PSP around July. Sadly Mercy Airs B222 burned to the ground durring an O2 refill. No injuries though which is good to hear.

 

JD

[Inthegreen]

Southern California was once well-covered and well-satisfied with the service performed by Mercy Air Service (and most areas still are). Then the multi-headed beast (Air Methods) started adding their influences, dividing regions, fracturing the tight knit structure of a family-like company. The manager hired to manage the split-off region that includes Palm Springs and Thermal, the area that REACH has breached, had no idea how to manage an operation of this type or geographic area and pretty much expended her best efforts on San Diego, with very little attention anywhere else. No Real marketing was done anywhere in the region over those 5 years. Two, poorly planned, failed attempts in Imperial County were the catalysts that brought REACH into SoCal and ultimately cost the manager her job.

 

REACH has a good name in the industry, both on the operations and medical side. They have competent marketing and business people and will be successful.

 

Mercy Air is a great company that is falling behind in the business race. It needs to join the 21st century and employ a creative and aggressive business plan.

[arotrhd]

And things almost went to PHI for this contract. Chief finally got SB-ICEMA to hold Mercy while he kicked 'em hard in the nuts...a long time coming from his efforts at Cal City. Gonna be fun UFC-like entertainment for the 909. . Um sorry, meant WWF. It is the 909...

 

Upland plans February start for air medics

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer

Created: 01/03/2010 09:08:41 PM PST

UPLAND - The city is preparing its air ambulance transport services for a tentative launch date in February. The Upland Fire Department is accepting applications for up to four flight nurses and four flight paramedic positions, Fire Chief Michael Antonucci said. The city entered into a contract with REACH Air Medical Services in June to operate a medical aircraft at no cost to the city, according to city officials. REACH Air agreed to reimburse the city $75,000 per month for staffing and $10,000 in administrative fees for the first year of operation. They will also provide the air ambulance, pilots and a mechanic. Some Fire Department employees have made the cut to possibly fill in overtime shifts on the airship. "We do have three or four people within the organization that have the qualifications and we already sent them in November to flight school," Antonucci said. The air ambulance personnel positions are considered "limited" because they are contingent upon the county contract. The airship will be stationed at Cable Airport in Upland and will enter into the county's system of air ambulances. It will be the eleventh permitted helicopter in the entire county, some of which are stationed in Nevada. "The county is divided into flight dispatch zones, and the air ambulance that is closest to the incident in the zone is first priority," said Virginia Hastings, executive director of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency. The county in November approved the city's request for a permit to operate the air ambulance. "We had great cooperation and help from ICEMA in securing this permit for the betterment of the city and San Bernardino County," Antonucci said. Having the air ambulance will help the city get to patients quicker and keep a low estimated time of arrival, he said. The helicopter would be used for 911 calls for incidents with major injuries when it is a long distance to a hospital by ground. Air ambulances are "very expensive and hard-to-get resources, so it's going to give the county another resource to use in case of a train wreck, plane crash, terrorist attack or in the case of an earthquake," Antonucci said.

 

They're still working on obtaining a medium for fire support.

 

-WATCH FOR THE PATTERNS, WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[JDHelicopterPilot]

I've heard there is a possibility of the Mercy base in Thermal moving.

 

JD

[Rat]

I've heard there is a possibility of the Mercy base in Thermal moving.

 

JD

Curious if this will be a local move. Palm Springs International ?

[JDHelicopterPilot]

No I don't think it is. Out of PSP area.

 

JD