<div>The City of Porterville recently partnered with REACH Air Medical Services and Sierra View Medical Center to showcase REACH's new helicopter and highlight the role emergency air medical transportation plays in connecting patients in the region with specialized care when it is needed most.The Helicopter Showcase on Wednesday gave members of the public the chance to see REACH's brand-new aircraft up close as it landed at Sierra View Medical Center, meet members of the flight crew, and learn more about the aircraft's capabilities and its role in emergency medical transport.REACH began providing air medical service to Sierra View Medical Center in 2023 and is the preferred air medical transport provider for the hospital. The service provides a connection for patients who require specialized medical care that may not be available locally, helping transport patients quickly to facilities equipped to provide the level of care they need.The new helicopter, which REACH began to use in July, offers expanded capabilities compared to the previous aircraft. In addition to the pilot, paramedic, nurse and patient, the new aircraft has space for one additional rider. The previous aircraft didn't accommodate an additional passenger due to space and operational limitations.The new helicopter also features a more powerful engine. With the helicopter having space for an additional passenger Sierra View Medical Center state that helps "keep patients and loved ones together during transport. These enhanced capabilities can make an important difference when patients need timely transportation to specialized care outside the immediate area."Sierra View noted a parent can now travel with their child during air medical transport as opposed to having to travel separately.As part of the event, Mayor Greg Meister had the chance to ride aboard the new REACH helicopter and arrive at Sierra View Medical Center for the Helicopter Showcase.The event was coordinated by Daniel Goranson, Program Director for REACH, in partnership with Sierra View Medical Center. A Porterville native, Goranson recognized the need for additional air medical support in the area and advocated for Porterville within the organization.The showcase was designed not only to introduce the community to REACH's new aircraft, but also to increase awareness of the critical role emergency air medical transportation plays throughout the region. By providing rapid access to specialized medical facilities, air medical services can help ensure patients are connected with the appropriate level of care when ground transportation may not be the fastest or most effective option.“Strong partnerships with our first responders and emergency medical service providers are essential to caring for our community,” said Sierra View CEO Donna Hefner. “Today was a wonderful opportunity to bring many of those partners together and give our community a firsthand look at the resources available to support patients during an emergency.”The new helicopter can operate from a landing area approximately 100 feet by 100 feet. The helicopter can travel as far as Sacramento or Las Vegas on a single tank of fuel, providing greater flexibility when patients need transportation to specialized care outside the region.The showcase also highlighted the collaboration among the agencies that respond when members of the community need emergency care. Participating organizations included CAL FIRE, Porterville Police Department, Porterville Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Imperial Ambulance, Tule River Emergency Medical Services, Tulare County Fire Department, Porterville Transit, and REACH Air Medical Services.Students from the Porterville Academy of Health Sciences Pathway walked to Sierra View Medical Center to attend the showcase. Students were able to view the helicopter, interact with first responders and the REACH flight crew, and learn more about the services involved in emergency medical care.“Events like this demonstrate how many people and organizations work together when someone in our community needs emergency care,” Hefner said. “We are grateful to REACH and all of the agencies that joined us today for their continued partnership and commitment to the communities we serve.”</div>

Block Source: Porterville Recorder

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The City of Porterville recently partnered with REACH Air Medical Services and Sierra View Medical Center to showcase REACH's new helicopter and highlight the role emergency air medical transportation plays in connecting patients in the region with specialized care when it is needed most. The Helicopter Showcase on Wednesday gave...

REACH shows off new helicopter

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The City of Porterville recently partnered with REACH Air Medical Services and Sierra View Medical Center to showcase REACH's new helicopter and highlight 

REACH shows off new helicopter

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