Section 515.945  Aircraft Vehicle Specifications and Operation

a)         All vehicles shall meet the requirements of subparts A, B, C, and D of Air Taxi Operations and Commercial Operators (14 CFR 135).

b)         All vehicles shall have communication equipment to permit both internal crew and air-to-ground exchange of information between individuals and agencies, including at least those involved in SEMSV medical control within the EMS System, the flight operations center, air traffic control and law enforcement agencies.  Helicopters must be able to communicate with law enforcement agencies, EMS providers, fire agencies, and referring and receiving facilities.

c)         Rotor wing vehicles shall be equipped with a Medical Emergency Radio Communications for Illinois (MERCI) radio.

d)         All vehicles shall be designed to allow the loading and unloading of the patient without rotating the patient more than 30 degrees along the longitudinal axis or 45 degrees along the lateral axis.

e)         All vehicles shall be climate controlled to prevent temperature extremes that would adversely affect patient care in the judgement of the Medical Director.

f)          All vehicles shall have interior lighting to permit patient care to be given and patient status to be monitored without interfering with the pilot's vision.

g)         All vehicles shall carry survival equipment including but not limited to:

1)         Two sources of heat or fire,

2)         Two forms of signaling device,

3)         Equipment to provide shelter:  blanket, nylon cord and adhesive tape,

4)         Knife and fishing kit, and

5)         Food and water supply.

h)         All patients shall be restrained to the helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft litter in order to assure the safety of the patient and crew.

i)          For helicopter programs:

1)         There shall be at least one single-engine aircraft.

2)         Each vehicle shall be staffed with at least one EMS pilot and at least one aeromedical crew member for Basic Life Support missions. There shall be two aeromedical crew members for Advanced Life Support and critical care transports, one of which shall be an R.N. or licensed physician.

3)         Each vehicle shall be equipped with flight reference instruments to allow recovery from inadvertent Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) situations.

4)         Each vehicle shall be equipped with a searchlight pivoting at least 180 degrees horizontal and 90 degrees vertical, controlled by the pilot without removing hands from the flight controls.  The searchlight shall be at least 400,000 candlepower, mounted and operated in accordance with requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (14 CFR 135).

5)         The cockpit shall be isolated by a protective barrier to minimize inflight distraction or interference.

6)         All medical equipment, supplies and personnel shall be secured and/or restrained.

7)         All equipment, litters/stretchers and seating shall be arranged so as not to block rapid egress by personnel or patient from the aircraft and shall be affixed or secured in racks or compartments approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (14 CFR 135) or by straps.

j)          For fixed-wing aircraft programs:

1)         There shall be at least one twin-engine aircraft.

2)         Each vehicle shall be staffed with at least one EMS pilot and at least one aeromedical crew member for Basic Life Support missions.  There shall be two aeromedical crew members for Advanced Life Support and critical care transports.

3)         The aircraft shall be IFR equipped and certified.

4)         All equipment, litters/stretchers and seating shall be arranged so as not to block rapid egress by personnel or patient from the aircraft and shall be affixed or secured in approved racks or compartments or by strap restraint.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 19218, effective December 15, 2000)