Use of Helicopters in the Thirteenth Coast Guard District for Emergency Medical Services

A review of the use of helicopters in the Thirteenth Coast Guard District to provide emergency medical services in inland areas revealed that: (1) the Coast Guard responds to all bona fide requests for emergency medical services in inland areas when the weather does not prohibit the use of helicopters; (2) the Coast Guard has adequate capability to provide inland emergency medical services; (3) the inland emergency medical missions performed did not interfere with the performance of the Coast Guard's primary missions; and (4) several other agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Guard, and the Forest Service, also provide helicopter emergency medical services in Oregon and Washington.