 |
|
 Transport
of injured patients by air can be traced to World War I, when
a French fighter plane was used to evacuate a wounded Serb.
Fixed-wing transport had limited use until World War II, when
the Allies evacuated large numbers of casualties by air, primarily
in C-47 transports.
The modern era of aeromedical transport began during World
War II, when helicopters transported wounded patients in Burma.
During the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts, helicopter aeromedical
transport significantly reduced battlefield mortality and
became an important and highly visible part of the military
trauma system. In Korea, more than 20,000 wounded soldiers
were transported in litters strapped to the skids of Bell-47
and Sikorsky S-51 helicopters. In Vietnam's Operation Dustoff,
800,000 patients were aeromedically transported.
The successful aeromedical experience in Vietnam proved the
ability of helicopters to transport injured patients directly
from trauma scenes to specialized trauma care centers. Awareness
of the role of military aeromedical transport made the extension
of helicopter use to the civilian arena inevitable. The first
aeromedical transport program was established in 1972 at St
Anthony's Hospital in Denver, Colo. Since then, the number
of aeromedical programs has grown steadily, reaching more
than 160 today.
Below is the history of Boston MedFlight from inception to
the present. As other programs have developed and expanded
services over time, Boston MedFlight now provides helicopter,
ground critical care, and fixed wing jet transport services.
|
|
1980
|
American College of Surgeons
recommends development of a helicopter transport system to serve
the designated trauma centers in Massachusetts. |
|
1981
|
The Massachusetts Department of Public
Health (DPH) recommends development of a cooperative helicopter
system among all of the teaching institutions in Boston. |
|
1984
|
Boston MedFlight
is created. A Hospital Consortium is formed to cooperatively
develop a rotor wing transport service. |
|
1985
|
Keystone Helicopter Corporation is
chosen as BMF's rotor wing vendor.
June 26th, BMF transports its first patient, a 14 year old boy
injured in an explosion. |
|
1987
|
BMF pilots awarded the New England Helicopter Pilots Safety
Award.
BMF transports its 1,000th patient.
|
|
1989
|
BMF transports its 2,500th patient. |
|
1991
|
Instrument Flight
Rule (IFR) capability is added to enhance aviation safety. |
|
1992
|
Second aircraft is added and stationed
at Plymouth airport to improve service to southeastern Massachusetts,
the Cape and the Islands. |
|
1993
|
BMF transports
its 5,000th patient. |
|
1995
|
A Dauphin helicopter is purchased to improve response for
specialty and long range missions.
BMF Operations are moved from South Boston to Hanscom Air
Force base in Bedford to better serve northern New England
communities.
|
|
1998
|
BMF develops a
partnership with Armstrong Ambulance to provide critical care
ground transport service. |
|
1999
|
BMF develops a partnership with Eastern
Air Charter to provide a fixed wing service, using a turbo prop
twin engine Piper Cheyenne IIXL. |
|
2002
|
BMF expands availability by increasing both rotor-wing aircraft
to 24 hours operations.
Fixed wing service transitions to a Citation II jet to improve
long range mission.
New BK-117 C1 model replaces A model BK-117 in Plymouth.
20,000th patient transport completed.
|
|
2003
|
BMF is able to purchase its own new Ground Critical Care
Transport vehicle and employ dedicated EMT Drivers to service
the unit.
New BK-117 C1 model is added to work in conjuction with
the existing Dauphin in Bedford.
|
| 2004 |
BMF adds a second Ground
Critical Care Transport vehicle to be stationed in Plymouth
to work in conjunction with the BK-117. |
Robins Street, Hangar 1727, Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, MA 01730
