Global Medical Response (GMR) has signed a purchase agreement with Bell Textron for three additional Bell 407GXis, with delivery expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The helicopters will join GMR's exclusive 220 Bell helicopter fleet for emergency medical operations throughout North America.

“As we grow our fleet to better serve our communities, these Bell 407GXi aircraft will better enable our emergency medical responders to reach those who need care at a moment's notice,” says COO Ted Van Horne. “Our fleet of Bell aircraft is essential to our crews of flight nurses, pilots, paramedics and the emergency support we provide. We appreciate the partnership we have with Bell and its support in our life-saving emergency missions.”

GMR is the largest medical transport company in the world with 39,000 employees servicing more than 4,000 US communities. As a partner with large scale emergency medical organisations such as American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire, Air Evac Lifeteam, REACH Air Medical Services, Med-Trans Corporation, AirMed International and Guardian Flight, GMR plays an integral role in providing safe transport to these communities. In 2021, GMR transported more than 125,000 patients for life-saving care.

“As one of the largest air medical service operators in the world, we are honoured that GMR has chosen to add the Bell 407GXi to its emergency services fleet,” says Bell director, North American sales Lane Evans. “Bell is fully committed to GMR's mission, and we are proud to continue supporting it with these versatile aircraft.”

Life Flight Network will add four Bell 407GXi helicopters to its fleet, bringing its total to seven and helping it maintain its position as the largest air medical operator of the Bell 407GXi in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

“Life Flight Network has continued to see the value and performance the Bell 407 platform has provided in the last several years,” says Bell director, North America sales Lane Evans. “The additional four Bell 407GXis with certified IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) capabilities will grow its transport resources, allowing Life Flight Network to further increase community access to industry leading critical care transport.”

Life Flight Network's total Bell fleet will consist of four Bell 429s and 25 Bell 407GX-series helicopters, providing critical care transportation to those in need. The organisation has 27 rotor wing bases, 10 fixed wing bases and two neonatal and paediatric bases across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. For over 44 years, Life Flight Network has been providing ICU-level care to patients in need of emergency medical transport, supporting local hospitals and EMS to bring the highest quality emergency care to the communities and patients who need it most.

Bell has nearly 500 HAA-configured aircraft operating daily for the air medical services industry, accumulating over one million flight hours. The Bell 407GXi provides critical capabilities when transferring patients with advanced avionics and communication suites through its Garmin's G1000H NXi integrated flight deck, complete with high-definition imagery and faster processors. The advanced displays offer increased brightness and clarity, faster start up and map rendering as well as connectivity to tablets and smartphones, and the new IFR capability will allow all-weather operations.