A growing threat to Quebec – A need for medical evacuation
Forest fires are on the increase, both in frequency and intensity. Every year in Quebec, thousands of hectares of forest are ravaged, endangering wildlife, flora and essential infrastructure. Remote communities, particularly those in the north of the province, find themselves particularly vulnerable, due to limited access to emergency services and sometimes impassable communication routes. Aeromedical evacuation sometimes becomes the only option for supporting communities.
At Airmedic, we are on the front lines, ensuring rapid medical evacuations and guaranteeing the safety of those impacted by these fires.
Airmedic’s Role
In response to this growing crisis, Airmedic provides a crucial solution for safety and emergency medical care. With our fleet of medical aircraft and highly trained personnel, we swiftly intervene to ensure:
Emergency medical evacuation :
Airmedic ensures the rapid transport of wildfire firefighters, volunteers, and affected citizens to appropriate healthcare facilities. Our evacuation services are divided into two main categories:
Types of medical evacuation
– Emergency heliborne medical evacuation:
Thanks to our fleet of helicopters, we can intervene directly in the field to evacuate people in distress, whether in forests, isolated areas or municipalities affected by fires. We can also position our helicopters in at-risk towns to intervene quickly when needed. For example, during the forest fires of 2023, Airmedic deployed a helicopter to the Saint-Honoré-de-Chicoutimi airport to respond to emergencies in the region. We are constantly adapting our operations to suit the situation and the areas at risk.
– Inter-hospital air transport :
When a patient’s condition requires transfer to a better-equipped hospital, such as CHUM’s burn unit, our air ambulances provide safe, medicalized transport to specialized facilities.
Assistance to authorities and fire-fighting teams
Airmedic works closely with Quebec’s forest fire protection agency and emergency services to ensure optimal care for affected populations. We provide logistical and medical support to firefighting teams, facilitating their operations under extreme conditions.
In 2023, our commitment was demonstrated through critical interventions, including:
- The emergency evacuation of an auxiliary firefighter trapped by the flames in Northern Quebec, suffering severe burns to his arms and hands. Thanks to Airmedic, he was urgently transported to Charles-Le Moyne Hospital in Longueuil for specialized treatment. Nord-du-Québec | Two auxiliary fighters injured by fire | La Presse
- Our involvement in the evacuation of vulnerable patients from the cities of Sept-Îles and Chibougamau ensured their safe transfer to other healthcare facilities. We also adopted a strategic positioning to support operations and guarantee the safety of both patients and medical personnel.
- Consulting Services
Airmedic provides telephone consulting services to assist the agency responsible for forest fire protection in autonomously managing medical evacuations. These services include, among others:
- Selection of the receiving hospital
- Choosing the appropriate mode of transport based on the patient’s condition
- Coordinating interventions with emergency services
- Providing other relevant operational advice to ensure an effective and safe evacuation
Preparation and Coordination
To ensure an efficient response, Airmedic collaborates with emergency services and local authorities to:
- Coordinate rapid and targeted interventions
- Facilitate patient care from the moment they are extracted from the danger zone
- Ensure swift communication with hospitals and medical teams
- Optimize air medical transport operations in critical situations
With seamless communication and well-established intervention procedures, our teams can respond quickly and effectively, ensuring the best possible care for victims.
The Importance of Speed and Access to Remote Regions
In a situation where every minute counts, Airmedic’s ability to respond swiftly is a major asset. Accessing remote regions, often difficult to reach by land, presents a significant challenge during wildfires. By deploying its specialized aircraft, Airmedic ensures an immediate response to emergencies, helping to reduce the human impact of these fires.
An Essential Ally
As wildfires increase, a fast and effective response is crucial. In collaboration with authorities and specialized services, Airmedic plays a vital role in protecting communities and managing medical evacuations in remote areas. Thanks to our expertise, aerial fleet, and strategic partnerships, Airmedic remains an essential ally in wildfire response, ensuring the safety and well-being of affected populations.
Communities in remote areas can rely on Airmedic for swift, reliable, and worry-free medical care.
Want to learn more about our emergency services? Contact us today!
📩 [email protected]
📞 450-766-0770
