Mercy Health is pleased to announce the addition of a new helicopter into the Mercy Health Life Flight Network fleet. This new helicopter is our first AgustaWestland AW119 Koala EMS helicopter – a lighter weight model that offers more options on landing sites to be closer to where EMS agencies are responding to emergencies.
When Mercy Health – Life Flight launched in 1979, it became the first emergency air medical service in the region, and among the first to be established in the United States. In the past two decades alone, Life Flight has accomplished more than 30,000 life-saving patient transports in the region.
The new air ambulance joins the Mercy Health – Life Flight Network fleet of three Leonardo 109Es, currently in service.
“We’re excited to grow our fleet with the addition of this single-engine helicopter, which is specifically designed to support our local EMS agencies where they need it most. Its light weight and rock-solid dependability make it well suited to land in unimproved terrain, including fields, back roads, or anywhere its mission takes it,” said Doug Wattoff, president and director of flight operations, Mercy Health – Life Flight Network.
The AgustaWestland AW119 Koala EMS helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art Garmin cockpit flight display with full synthetic vision. Its medical interior is specifically designed using the newest superior weight saving material serving the needs of our highly trained critical care crews and our communities.
Each transport is staffed by a pilot, a skilled critical care nurse and either an emergency physician or highly trained critical care paramedic.
Mercy Health Life Flight Network has earned full accreditation from CAMTS (the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems) signifying excellence in transportation systems. CAMTS standards include patient care, medical personnel education, medical equipment, and the safety of our pilots, maintenance staff, communication centers and management.
“The Life Flight name has become synonymous with medical air transportation in our region due to the long history of excellent service and the tireless dedication and tremendous skill of the Life Flight teams,” said Jim Weidner, chief operating officer, Mercy Health – Toledo. “We are pleased to be investing further in our air ambulance program and the region with this new addition.”
Mercy Health operates two air and on ground-transport Life Flight bases throughout northwest Ohio. The new helicopter will be housed in Wauseon at the Mercy Health Life Flight Network base located at the Fulton County Airport.
