AdventHealth has acquired a second helicopter for its Flight 1 air medical programme. The Florida-based healthcare provider officially unveiled its new aircraft, an EC145e, earlier this month.
Since its launch 36 years ago, the Flight 1 programme has used a single helicopter to transport critically ill patients between AdventHealth’s Central Florida campuses and from other healthcare facilities. In 2021, it carried around 1,000 people.
The introduction of the new EC145e will allow the programme to reach more patients and extend access to critical care, as Rob Deininger, CEO of AdventHealth Orlando, noted. “Our region is fortunate to have nationally recognised advanced specialty care at AdventHealth Orlando and at some of our other campuses. This second aircraft really expands access to that care to more people in Central Florida and beyond throughout the state.
“Our Flight 1 programme can get patients in the hands of some of the best caregivers in the world quickly, sometimes when seconds count,” he said.
To house its two aircraft, as well as some of its ground ambulance fleet, AdventHealth is leasing a 7,000 sq ft hangar at Orlando Executive Airport. Previously, the Flight 1 helicopter was stored on the healthcare provider’s Orlando campus.
AdventHealth is also renovating an adjacent 10,000 sq ft building that will house administrative offices for the Flight 1 programme, as well as a simulator used to train team members from the flight and ground rescue fleets. The renovation should be completed next year.
