In the mid 1990’s the need for an Air Ambulance was becoming increasingly recognized. A life-saving helicopter would have the ability to access remote parts of Essex quickly and would not be affected by high tides or traffic congestion. The presence of an Air Ambulance would also enable medical personnel to reach areas inaccessible to land vehicles including woods, beaches, docks and golf courses.
- The Essex Air Ambulance charity was established and began fundraising in 1997.
- The first Air Ambulance, a Bolkow 105 Db, was launched in July 1998 from New Hall School in Boreham. The aircraft, based at Boreham Airfield near Chelmsford, was initially in service 5 days a week.
- During the past 11 years there have been 3 aircraft in service as Essex Air Ambulance. The first two helicopters were Bolkows and the people of the county would have initially recognized the bright red livery of their Essex Air Ambulance.
- In July 1999, thanks to phenomenal fundraising, the charity was able to increase the aircraft’s flying time from 5 days to 7 days per week. In early 2000, following a sponsorship deal with the AA, the aircraft was given a new look and resprayed yellow.
- By May 2003 the Essex Air Ambulance had completed more than 3,500 missions and again thanks to the passion and fundraising of the County, the charity was in a position to commission a new state of the art aircraft, the Eurocopter EC135 T2.
- Over the past 11 years the aircraft has flown over 10,000 missions. The aircraft is deployed 2-4 times per day. It costs around £250,000 per month to cover all charitable costs and aircraft operations.
- In July 2007, to assist this vital service, the Charity purchased a 4x4 vehicle for use when the aircraft is grounded due to bad weather or requires urgent unplanned maintenance. The vehicle has full life-saving equipment like the helicopter.
- In April 2007 the Essex Air Ambulance charity became Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust and is now responsible for both the Essex Air Ambulance helicopter emergency medical service and the Herts Air Ambulance.
- The Charity works in partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust but receives no funding from the National Lottery and relies on the generosity and goodwill of local people and businesses to help generate vital funds.
- The Charity recently introduced Doctors on board the helicopter, taking the service into the future by providing enhanced critical care to the most severely ill and injured in the region. The doctors will work alongside the current paramedics, mirroring the service pioneered by London’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
The aircraft and the Charity that works to fund it continues to serve all people of all ages and it is this diverse, passionate and committed community that has kept the Air Ambulance flying.
Essex Air Ambulance is extremely grateful for the help it receives from the general public and local businesses as none of this would be possible without their support. The Charity relies on their generosity to provide donations and time and we look forward to their continued support as we fly into the future together.
A previous Air Ambulance that undertook many operations before our latest helicopter entered service.