The Results

Maximum Efficiency-
With EagleMed's new dispatch center, two dispatchers are handling more missions than ever handled by the previous double centers.

In the new center, an overhead 70-inch wall-projected image shows EagleMed's six-state operational region with an overlay of current NEXRAD and other weather information. Audible alerts relating to various TRACKER-reported events depicted on this display are broadcast within the dispatch center. When selecting an aircraft for a mission, the comprehensive display helps the dispatcher quickly determine which aircraft is best for the mission.

"When the pilot powers up the aircraft, TRACKER automatically sends a ‘power-on' message to dispatch, and an icon appears on the map screen confirming the aircraft's position. We call the people who requested the flight and give them the preliminary ETA. Before departure, the pilot telephones the dispatcher from the aircraft to relay his VFR flight plan.

"As soon as the pilot pulls collective or rotates off of the runway, the words ‘aircraft departed' are heard in the dispatch center based on the TRACKER ‘departure' report. Once the aircraft is en route, we receive TRACKER reports on the aircraft's position, altitude, and groundspeed at 5-minute intervals."

Using these position reports, Flight Vector automatically updates the ETA to the scene. After the patient is loaded and just before takeoff, the pilot telephones the dispatcher to confirm the patient destination and the aircraft flight plan.

The dispatch center monitors the entire flight's progress and keeps the receiving hospital posted on its ETA, which continually changes during any flight due to winds aloft and ATC routing. After the patient is unloaded, the pilot again phones the dispatch center to report the aircraft status.

"The best part of this system is that no matter where the mission is—hospital or scene—the dispatch center can support the flight crew with any of its needs. With Flight Explorer's weather overlays, dispatchers give pilots a heads-up about approaching weather. With the street-level mapping, the dispatch center can help vector the aircraft to specific locations," Zon explains.

"On one occasion we were picking up a severely injured patient, but it was very difficult to see and locate the scene from the air. The pilot telephoned the dispatch center, and with his aircraft position displayed on our street-level maps, I was able to talk that aircraft to the scene by referring to roads and landmarks on the map that were visible to the pilot. This saved 15-20 minutes and probably helped save the patient's life."

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