Update on NTSB Public Hearing on EMS Operations

Feb. 3, 2009
Four-day public hearing begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Transportation Safety Board's four-day hearing on the safety of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations will convene at 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2009, at the NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

Helicopter EMS operations provide an important service to the public by transporting seriously ill patients or donor organs to emergency care facilities. The pressure to safely and quickly conduct these operations in various environmental conditions (for example, inclement weather, at night, and unfamiliar landing sites for helicopter operations) has the potential to make HEMS operations more at risk than normal passenger carrying operations.

There will be witnesses from many EMS communities including pilots, medical personnel, managers, and FAA. The issues that will be discussed during the hearing include:

  • Operational Structure and Models
  • Flight Operations
  • Aircraft Safety Equipment
  • Training
  • Oversight

The goal of the upcoming hearing is for the Safety Board to learn more about helicopter EMS operations so that it can better evaluate the factors that lead to accidents. The Board will invite expert witnesses to provide sworn testimony. The majority of these witnesses will participate as part of small panels addressing particular safety issues.

Additionally, several organizations will be granted party status to the hearing so that they may question the witnesses directly.

The hearing will be webcast. An agenda and webcast are posted at www.ntsb.gov.