At Boston MedFlight, safety is a corporate value. Safety awareness is pervasive in all aspects of our transport program. Our state of the art safety equipment and continuing education has helped make Boston MedFlight an incident free program since 1985.

Three full-time dedicated mechanics, all employed by Era Med (formerly Keystone Helicopter Corporation) are on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to ensure equipment and vehicle safety for our rotor wing aircraft. Boston Air Charter provides a dedicated mechanic for our fixed wing aircraft.

Each mechanic maintains Federal Aviation Association (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licensure. Additionally, each mechanic attends factory training sessions specific for each type of airframe. In 1993, our rotor wing lead mechanic was awarded the New England Aircraft Maintenance Technician of the Year.

Maintenance for each aircraft is completed by A&P mechanics in conjunction with the Era Med (formerly Keystone Helicopter Corporation) Pilot in Command (PIC). Maintenance is completed according to a schedule based on flight hours.

Each aircraft is checked daily. Additionally, prior to each takeoff, the Pilot in Command (PIC) performs a "preflight" inspection of the aircraft. This includes visual inspection of the exterior of the aircraft in addition to any internal inspections that are required. Upon engine start, additional checks of gauges, fuel, and warning lights are required.

Both Era Med (formerly Keystone Helicopter Corporation) and Boston Air Charter (BAC) Pilots in Command (PIC) are trained to the highest level of competency that can be achieved - that of Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). Recurrent training is on a continual basis which may include computer testing modules, flight checks with safety/training officers, and biannual flight simulator training. PIC's are proficient in both Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

When communication specialists review a request for patient transport, that information is transmitted to the appropriate pilot. If the Pilot In Command (PIC) accepts the mission, he/she dispatches the medical crew. At no time prior to a PIC accepting or rejecting a mission is patient information provided.

A weather system reporting station is located at each base and in our Communications Center which updates weather conditions worldwide on an hourly basis. Decisions are made based on forecasts, visibility, distance, terrain hazards and ceiling (the distance from the ground to the base of the clouds).

The medical crew, together with the Pilot in Command (PIC), form a cohesive team in maintaining safety in and around the aircraft.

Prior to takeoff, a medical crew member is responsible for performing a "startup" procedure. The crew member is positioned outside of the aircraft and is responsible for reporting anything which might pose a threat to safe flight operations, including open latches/doors, oil leaks, extraneous people about the aircraft, or significant debris.
Safety training for the medical crew is on a continual basis and includes biannual aircraft and safety training, daily discussions, and specialized egress training.

The medical crew, Pilots in Command (PIC's), and mechanics have evaluated all equipment used in the medical management of patients, including the intra-aortic balloon pump and neonatal isolette, for safe and effective travel. Each piece of equipment must be secured at all times so as to prevent potential hazards during flight. Additionally, each piece of equipment must be evaluated for accuracy, reliability and portability in the transport environment.

Safety equipment is worn by all medical crew and Era Med (formerly Keystone Helicopter Corporation) and BAC pilots. Seatbelts, for example, are mandatory during all phases of transport. During rotor wing transport, each crew member wears a helmet. These helmets fulfill three functions: to protect hearing, to enable internal communication, and to prevent head injuries in the event of turbulence or catastrophic event. Additionally, protective floatation devices (PFD's) are donned on missions flown over water.