According to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) press release, 19 recommendations were issued on Tuesday regarding Helicopter Emergency Management Services (HEMS).  The recommendations reportedly address a number of safety issues including pilot training; safety management systems; collection and analysis of flight, weather and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of a low altitude airspace infrastructure; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots and night vision imaging systems (NVIS).
 
According to the NTSB, 2008 was the deadliest year on record for the HEMS industry with 12 accidents and 29 fatalities.  According to the release, the NTSB responded to the increase in fatal accidents by placing issues surrounding HEMS operations on its Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements.  HEMS operators reportedly include an estimated 750 helicopters, 20 operators and 60 hospital-based programs.
 
The NTSB conducted a four-day public hearing in February to look at the safety issues concerning this industry. Testimony was given by expert witnesses representing HEMS operators, associations, manufacturers and hospitals at the hearing which examined the industry’s advancing competitive environment and clarified the reasons behind its recent growth. As a result of the hearing, the NTSB offered recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Systems (FICEMS) and 40 government-operated or public HEMS operators.
 
Ten of the 19 recommendations issued today went to the FAA to address the issues of improved pilot training; collection and analysis of flight, weather, and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of low altitude airspace in infrastructure; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots, and NVIS.