Squawk 7000 – Air Corps 112, 10 Years of EAS
One of the greatest pleasures in bringing you this podcast is that we get to meet with people with a passion for what they do. This episode is no different as we are in Baldonnel with the Irish Air Corp as they celebrate not only 100 years of operation but, especially this week, ten years of the Emergency Aeromedical Service EAS
The Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), which has had a residence in Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, is a joint project between the HSE and the Defence Forces. Air Corps flight crews work alongside National Ambulance Service Advance Paramedics in a dedicated military helicopter for the rapid transfer of critical patients to the most appropriate hospital in the country.
Initially set up in 2012 for a 12- month trial period, the aim was to assess the level and type of dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) required in Ireland in light of recent closures of regional facilities such as Roscommon Hospital. Since its inception, it has become a vital asset in terms of critical pre-hospital care and has completed over 3500 missions. We speak with Commandant Oisin McGrath, Officer Commanding 301 Squadron, the (Tactical Helicopter Squadron). Lieutenant Colin Delaney, is currently a copilot on the AW139. Captain Jason Mc Dermott; the officer tasked with being responsible for the helicopter operation in Athlone, Sergeant Philip Byrne, Pat Moran and Tommy Monaghan both Advanced Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service and Sergeant Diarmuid Corcoran Crewman on the AW139.
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
Related Posts
Squawk 7000 – “Orville Wright was alive when my plane left the factory” →
Squawk 7000 – The Ballyboy Breakfast Fly-In Sunday, May 28th →
Squawk 7000 – Petticoat Pilots – Women aviators Ireland 1909-1939 →
