Time is critical in medical emergencies. A helicopter is usually the fastest solution for delivering a doctor to a patient and then moving the patient to a hospital.
Emergency medical service (EMS) helicopters must be capable of landing in tight spaces while also having extensive range. EMS helicopters also need to be able to carry specialised medical equipment and medical professionals.
Only a limited number of helicopter types are suitable for EMS roles – particularly the H135, H145, Bell 429 and AW169. The AW139 is a large helicopter for the EMS mission-type, but does see some deployment.
EMS helicopter services are generally outsourced to commercial providers and supported by direct government funding and charitable contributions. The contracts vary considerably in duration but are usually in the range of 3 to 8 years.