To Be Used For Nationwide Medical Emergencies

Aero-News has learned the Polish Ministry of Health recently signed a contract for 23 Eurocopter EC135 helicopters to serve its nationwide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network. The aircraft will be delivered between 2009 and 2010. The EC135s will replace an aging fleet of Mi-2s, enabling Poland’s air rescue system to become fully compliant with European JAR OPS-3 standards. An EC135 flight simulator is also part of the contract.

The selection of the EC135 follows an international tender, according to public procurement law, issued by the Polish Ministry of Health. After a highly professional evaluation process, Eurocopter’s offer was identified as the most advantageous and in line with the specifications for the nation’s EMS operations. The fleet of 23 helicopters will serve bases all over Poland and will be operated by the Ministry’s Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (LPR) organization.

"Eurocopter is committed to equipping the Polish Emergency Medical Services with modern and reliable medical helicopters within the tight timeframe stipulated by the Services in order to ensure a smooth transition with the phasing out of the older-generation helicopters presently in service," said Lutz Bertling, CEO of Eurocopter. "The company will also provide the maintenance of the EC135s in Poland, in its own center which was opened in 2005 in Warsaw to provide pilot training as well as maintenance for the aircraft. We are convinced that this contract is only a first step of our long-term and partnership-type relationship with Poland."

The LPR’s EC135s will be supported by Heli Invest of Warsaw, with whom Eurocopter has a Distributorship Agreement which includes the full scope of customer support services and maintenance under Part 145 regulations. Heli Invest’s service to LPR includes a 24/7 service hotline in Polish language, warranty support, full maintenance services as well as on-site customer support at the LPR’s bases all over the country.

EC135s are also used in a number of neighboring countries in the European Union, notably Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com, www.mz.gov.pl/wwwmzold/