NEW MARTINSVILLE - Concerns about noise, flight paths and even aesthetics filled the Wetzel County Hospital conference room Monday evening during a public meeting about the possibility of Air Evac EMS Inc. relocating from Ohio County to that facility.
The medical helicopter outfit has been stationed at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport since June 2008. Company officials said the decision to leave that base stems from overcrowding of the market. They claim too many medical helicopter services are operating in the area for its relatively low population density.
Of about 60 Wetzel County residents who packed the room Monday, only nine spoke. Six of those reside in homes very close to the helipad and voiced concerns; the three remaining speakers favored the proposal. Those three were New Martinsville Councilman Joel Potts; Ray Renaud, a member of the Grandview Volunteer Fire Department who presented a letter of support from the Wetzel County Firefighters Association; and George Friedline, vice president of the hospital Board of Trustees.
"It is very important your voices be heard," said hospital Chief Executive Officer George Couch at the outset of the meeting.
Andy Arthurs, senior director of base operations for Air Evac, gave a detailed presentation about the company, its beginnings and its safety precautions.
Bruce Campbell, who resides near the hospital, had concerns about the helicopter company.
"There is some disagreement on your safety record," he told Air Evac representatives.
Arthurs said the statistics can be deceiving. No other emergency air transport company operates under one Part 135 Certificate. The industry safety records are based on incidents per 100,000 hours flown. Most companies, he said, need 25-30 years of operation to reach that threshold, while Air Evac's more than 100 helicopters can do that in about 20 months. The company has had four incidents or accidents, which is less than the national average.