ST. LUCIE COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT AND OMNIFLIGHT HELICOPTERS, INC. BRING NEWLY REFURBISHED AIR MEDICAL SERVICES HELICOPTER INTO SERVICE

January 9, 2009

Air Rescue, an Agusta A-119 Koala Helicopter, Makes a Comeback after Refurbishment St. Lucie County, Fla. – January 9, 2009 … The St. Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) and Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. announced today the return of the Agusta A-119 Koala helicopter, Air Rescue, following an extensive refurbishment.  Air Rescue provides helicopter service for medical emergencies throughout the Treasure Coast, including in the counties of St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin and Indian River.  The service is available to the community at the scene of an accident and for critical care inter-facility transports.   

Omniflight and SLCFD entered into an agreement for the provision of air medical services in early 2008, at which time, Omniflight purchased the Agusta A-119.  With this partnership, the Federal Aviation Administration required a complete mechanical review of the helicopter and certification.  The refurbishment was performed to conform to Omniflight’s certificate specifications and to update the helicopter to feature current technologies. 

The process was performed in Addison, Tex., with the aircraft being reinforced and several pieces of equipment updated.  Notable changes include equipping it with Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capable instruments, allowing for better vision at night; the capacity to increase speed, with the maximum speed of 152 knots/175 mph; and an additional maximum lift capacity, at 6283 lbs.  Currently, the Agusta A-119 is the fastest helicopter in the region and also now boasts revolutionary satellite tracking and communications.

“Air Rescue can now bring patients state-of-the-art patient care,” explained Fire Chief Ron Parrish.  “The residents of St. Lucie County should be proud of the service this helicopter will bring them in a time of need.  The advancements that can now be found in the helicopter will allow us to better serve patients throughout the communities in the region – any time of the day or night – more safely, quickly and efficiently.”      

The Agusta A-119 is configured to accommodate a pilot, a flight registered nurse, and a flight paramedic.  Under the SLCFD and Omniflight agreement, the SLCFD supplies flight paramedics while Omniflight provides pilots and critical care nurses and mechanics.  This three-person crew was implemented at the beginning of the new partnership.  Air Rescue operates out of the St. Lucie County International Airport at the new hangar located at 3105 Airmans Drive, Ft. Pierce.

Addison, Texas-based Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. is a leading provider of air medical services throughout the U.S.  The company owns 100 aircraft nationally and operates from 72 bases in 18 states, with a strong presence across the Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast regions.  Its focus is primarily on inter-facility transport and on-site emergency scene response using both rotor and fixed-wing aircraft.  For more information, please visit www.omniflight.com. 

St. Lucie County Fire District is the eighth largest Fire-Rescue Department in the State of Florida, serving more than 276,000 residents.  With 17 fire stations, the Fire District has 459 employees.  In 2007 they responded to more than 36,000 calls, with 31,512 of those calls being medical emergencies.  Prior to the arrangement with Omniflight, SLCFD and the SLC Sheriff’s Office partnered to supply services through funding provided by local taxes.  Under the new partnership, since the aircraft is owned and maintained by Omniflight, funding is now provided by a user-based fee, typically covered by most insurance plans. 

For Further Information, Contact:
Susan J. Lewis, PAIRELATIONS, LLC
303-804-0494, susan.lewis@omniflight.com