28 May 2020: DFR Luftrettung and Bucher Leichtbau have signed a framework agreement for the interior fitting of HEMS kit, especially the ‘stretcher’ on its helicopters H135 and H145. Initially developed for the H135 variant, the stretcher was later modified for installation in H145 variant. The stretcher with the load capacity of 250kgs is completely optimised to transport the patients on the way between the helicopter and hospital. Also medical devices can be easily carried along with it relieving the pressure on crew. Also for better patient care the newly developed head of the helicopter stretcher allows power-assisted adjustment. This stretcher meets all the requirements of the HEMS crew and was tested for over a year at DRF Luftrettung’s HEMS bases before the start of series production.
Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung thanked Bucher Leichtbau by calling them their closest collaborators. He said, “For many years now, we have relied on Bucher Leichtbau’s HEMS equipment, which meets our high quality standards. We were able to incorporate our practical experience directly into the development process at Bucher Leichtbau. The equipment’s modularity offers us the advantage that it can be adapted to different mission profiles, such as winch rescue or special intensive care transport.”
“We are very pleased that our offer has been so well received and that we can continue our successful collaboration with DRF Luftrettung. Having such an experienced air rescue organisation by our side means great added value for us,” emphasised Beat Burlet, CEO of Bucher Leichtbau.
DRF Luftrettung’s extensive practical experience and technical know-how will be teamed up with Bucher Leichtbau’s expertise in interior fittings of HEMS kits in all new helicopters. Besides this Bucher Leichtbau will be providing special training courses for the engineers of DRF Luftrettung to install the HEMS kits at its hangar at the Operation Centre located at the Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden airport and also offer it to its extended customers.