Statement, 21 May 2010, 3pm.
The Air Corps have to date conducted 31 Air Ambulance missions since 01
January 2010.
In the past 72 hours alone, six Air Ambulance missions have been flown by
the Air Corps, including five to the UK. Four of these missions were carried
out using the Learjet 45; one using a CASA fixed wing aircraft and one using
an AW 139 helicopter.
Air Ambulance missions are carried out in accordance with a Service Level
Agreement which exists between the Department of Defence and the Department
of Health and Children. Such missions include the transfer of organ
retrieval and transplant teams as well as acutely ill patients between
various locations in Ireland and the UK.
The aircraft used to conduct Air Ambulance operations are:
• CASA CN235.
• Learjet 45.
• Augusta Westland (AW) 139.
• Eurocopter (EC) 135.
The Learjet 45, AW 139 and EC 135 all have the capability to enable a ‘Life
Port’ system to be installed if required. This system allows a stretcher to
be transferred directly from an ambulance onto the aircraft with all life
support systems remaining fully operational. Each aircraft is fully
compatible with the power supply and oxygen requirements of all medical
teams.
The Air Corps remains on standby 24 hours a day to conduct Air Ambulance
missions in accordance with the Service Level Agreement.
END.
Neil Nolan
Commandant
Defence Forces Press Officer
Preasoifig Óglaigh na hÉireann,
Defence Forces HQ, Infirmary Road, Dublin 7
Ceanncheathrú Óglaigh na hÉireann, Bóthar na hOtharlainne, BÁC 7.
p: +353 1 8042687 / f: +353 1 6779018
pressofficer@defenceforces.iol.ie
www.military.ie / Facebook / Twitter
The Air Corps have to date conducted 31 Air Ambulance missions since 01
January 2010.
In the past 72 hours alone, six Air Ambulance missions have been flown by
the Air Corps, including five to the UK. Four of these missions were carried
out using the Learjet 45; one using a CASA fixed wing aircraft and one using
an AW 139 helicopter.
Air Ambulance missions are carried out in accordance with a Service Level
Agreement which exists between the Department of Defence and the Department
of Health and Children. Such missions include the transfer of organ
retrieval and transplant teams as well as acutely ill patients between
various locations in Ireland and the UK.
The aircraft used to conduct Air Ambulance operations are:
• CASA CN235.
• Learjet 45.
• Augusta Westland (AW) 139.
• Eurocopter (EC) 135.
The Learjet 45, AW 139 and EC 135 all have the capability to enable a ‘Life
Port’ system to be installed if required. This system allows a stretcher to
be transferred directly from an ambulance onto the aircraft with all life
support systems remaining fully operational. Each aircraft is fully
compatible with the power supply and oxygen requirements of all medical
teams.
The Air Corps remains on standby 24 hours a day to conduct Air Ambulance
missions in accordance with the Service Level Agreement.
END.
Neil Nolan
Commandant
Defence Forces Press Officer
Preasoifig Óglaigh na hÉireann,
Defence Forces HQ, Infirmary Road, Dublin 7
Ceanncheathrú Óglaigh na hÉireann, Bóthar na hOtharlainne, BÁC 7.
p: +353 1 8042687 / f: +353 1 6779018
pressofficer@defenceforces.iol.ie
www.military.ie / Facebook / Twitter