Helicopter
The West Covina Fire Department utilizes Mercy Air for Helicopter related services.

Mercy Air's on-board flight team includes a highly trained EMS pilot, critical care flight nurse, and a flight paramedic or emergency physician.

Flight Nurses possess a minimum of 5 years of critical care experience in the emergency department and/or ICU. Their credentials include: BTLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CFRN, CEN & MICN qualifications.

Flight Paramedics possess a minimum of 3 years of field paramedic experience plus BTLS, ACLS, and PALS qualifications.

Flight physicians are licensed as a physician in the state of California and certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. They also possess relevant experience in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care subspecialties.

EMS pilots possess a minimum of 4000 hours as helicopter Pilot-in-Command experience. Mercy Air pilots average flight experience exceeds 6000 hours each. Pilots are instrument rated, plus initial and annual recurrent training at Flight Safety International.

Mercy Air's aircraft are equipped with state of the art, critical care equipment including:

• Advanced airway equipment
• Monitor/defibrillator/external pacing capabilities
• Non-invasive B/P monitor with 2 invasive pressure line capability and End Tidal CO2 monitor
• Dual oxygen
• Dual suction
• Pulse oximeter and IV pumps
• Portable ventilator
• Adult and pediatric mast suits
• Sager splint
• KED
• Emergency and maintenance drugs
• Assorted dressings

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