Civil Helicopters News

Virginia State Police Adds Bell Helicopter for Medical Missions

Virginia State Police Adds Bell Helicopter for Medical Missions

The Virginia State Police has added a Bell 412 Epi helicopter to support its emergency medical missions.

The purchase will expand the police’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.

“Having the adequate aircraft to provide such an essential emergency service is critical to state police’s ability to fulfill our rescue and medical response missions as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Captain Shawn Rivard, Aviation Division commander, Virginia State Police.

The Bell 412 Epi, with high-resolution maps and terrain data on four displays for the pilots to easily navigate in challenging environments, has the capacity to seat up to 14 passengers and fits all the equipment needed for emergency missions.

The Virginia State Police is expected to operate the aircraft this fall, and pilots have completed flight training at the Bell Training Academy in the US state of Texas.

INDUSTRY REPORTS