Mercy Flight

Press release:

This year is a special year for Mercy Flight WNY as we are celebrating our 35th year of operation.

Batavia Mercy Flight & Mercy EMS will be having our annual summer open house Satruday, June 18th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Batavia Home Depot, located at 4181 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

We are planning to have Mercy Flight land at noon for tours as well has have some ambulances from the Mercy EMS fleet on display and tours, too.

During the event we will have various family activities and an ongoing 50/50 and Chinese Auction during the event. 

Their will be various police, and fire departments doing demos and speaking with the community and showing off their vehicles, too. The City of Batavia will also have its Child Safety Seat technicians out to check car seats. If possible, bring both the child and the car seat with you, so they know its properly installed and fits the child using the car seat.

If you have any questions or wish to make a donation for the Chinese auction table, please contact Base Coordinator Lynn O'Donnell at 716-864-5060 or lodonnell@mercyflight.org and she will be happy to assist you.

Mercy Flight Air Ambulance enjoyed another successful year of aiding people in Genesee County, according to a presentation Monday afternoon before the Human Service Committee.

Highlights of Mercy Flight for fiscal 2014-15 include:

• A total of 179 requests for Air Ambulance (helicopter) from Genesee County; 91 transports completed;
• Total Mercy Flight transports for 2015 were 1,100;

For Mercy EMS, in operation for six years now:

• 7,377 requests for services; 4,824 transports completed;
• In the City of Batavia, there were almost 3,000 calls for Mercy EMS in 2014; that number grew to 3,500 in 2015.

Call Types (55 percent were on scene; 45 percent were inter-facility transfers)

• Adult Trauma -- 38 percent
• Adult Medical -- 37 percent
• Adult Cardiac -- 13 percent
• Pediatric Medical -- 7 percent
• Pediatric Trauma -- 4 percent
• Neonatal -- 2 percent

Destination Hospitals:

• Erie County Medical Center -- 33 percent
• Buffalo General -- 23 percent
• Strong Memorial -- 15 percent
• Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo -- 12 percent
• Mercy Hospital -- 6 percent
• Other NY Hospitals -- 5 percent
• Hamot Medical Center -- 3 percent
• Other Pennsylvania and Ohio Hospitals -- 3 percent

Funding goes to:

• Operations/Programs -- 93 percent
• Development & Fundraising -- 7 percent
• Misc. -- .5 percent

O'Donnell reported that Mercy Flight continues to upgrade its aircraft. Its Bell 429, the company flagship based in Batavia, recently completed its fourth year of service. Four American Eurocopters have all been refurbished, updated and painted to match the Bell. A Lear 31 twin engine jet is also housed at the Batavia base, in partnership with Thunder Run Aviation. The jet provides advanced life support transports beyond what can be provided by the helicopters.

Due to the new partnership between UMMC and Rochester General Hospital, more transports are being logged to Rochester General.

A good deal of time is spent promoting the agency and working with fire/EMS crews and community organizations, O'Donnell said. For example, Mercy Flight offers first responder ground crew safety training that teaches when and how to request Mercy Flight along with the safety requirements for preparing for a safe landing. There were six trainings in Genesee County in the 2014-15 fiscal year, and 84 first responders attended, a total that is "significantly up" from the previous year.

Another community involvement opportunity that Mercy Flight engages in is prom safety/DWI drills and local high schools. These help students make good decisions, reducing DWI-related accidents. Two were held in 2014-15 -- at Elba and at Byron-Bergen. Funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Grant makes these possible and they will be offered again this year.

Strong partnerships continue with fire/EMS, law enforcement and UMMC, as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

For Mercy Flight, base tours and participation in community events such as the Genesee County Fair, YWCA Penny Carnival, UMMC Teddy Bear Clinic, Pembroke Winterfest, Summer in the City, Brick House Corners Fair and the Oakfield Christmas tree decorating help educate the public and help with fundraising, according to the report. Fundraisers such as the annual Hackers for Helicopters Golf Outing and dinner events at Batavia Downs Gaming and Batavia Country Club are important for these reasons, too.

For Mercy EMS, the ambulance fleet continues to be upgraded, including "graphic schemes that match the helicopters." Three new ambulances will be replacing three old ones. Also, two bases of operations are in place to improve response times for more remote location calls -- one in South Byron, the other in East Pembroke.

Taking part in the UMMC Teddy Bear Clinic and Mash Camps allow preschoolers and pre-teens to learn about EMS. Parades and EMS standbys for community events also provide outreach opportunities, as does allowing local EMT students and UMMC residents-in-training the chance to shadow EMS providers for real-life experience.

Committee Vice Chair Marianne Clattenburg, who represents District 8, asked if recruitment of EMS personnel is difficult.

"Absolutely, this is a nationwide problem," Baumgardt responded.

After a person is already a certified EMT, there's an additional two-year training period required to become a paramedic. That's is a daunting commitment for some and the pay rate in a small market like Genesee County compared to bigger markets does not help any.

"You've served Genesee County for 35 years and we're extremely happy and thankful for that extra level of protection," Committee Chair Rochelle Stein (District 5) said about Mercy Flight.

An adult male fell 12 feet and is unresponsive at 8343 Gully Road, Stein Farms, in Le Roy. Mercy Flight is called to the scene. Le Roy fire will set up the landing zone and Caledonia ambulance is dispatched for mutual aid to handle the medical call.

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 has a five-minute ETA. The landing zone is north of the farm in a cornfield with cornstalk stubble.

Vinyl Sticks in Batavia finished a project for Mercy Flight today involving a retired helicopter that the Buffalo-based medical emergency organization wants to display at events and at its headquarters.

A BOCES class in Erie County restored and painted the exterior of the craft and then it was trucked to Batavia for Vinyl Sticks to apply the ship's decals.

Adam Lowder handled the project.

Mercy Flight & Mercy Emergency Medical Services held their annual open house Saturday afternoon at Home Depot in Batavia to showcase services they provide to the community.

Fire departments and law enforcement agencies in the county participated, too.

Children enjoyed getting a close-up look at fire trucks, ambulances and Mercy Flight's helicopter. The City of Batavia Fire Department offered child safety checks. Batavia police did a demonstration on bike safety and state troopers did a rollover-accident simulation.

“The open house is basically for kids to see the backside of EMS, so if an ambulance or helicopter comes they are not afraid," Lynn O'Donnell, Mercy Flight & Mercy EMS outreach coordinator. "Kids get to meet the crew members so they know we are all a part of the community and here to help out."

In addition to the tours, they had a Chinese auction and sold merchandise and food to help raise money for Mercy Flight's mission sponsor program, which assists people who cannot afford to pay medical transportation bills.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $103,637 in federal funding for Mercy EMS in Batavia. The grant was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which is designed to help first responders improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

“Providing the necessary funding for our first responders is an excellent and prudent use of federal money,” Congressman Collins said. “Our local heroes need the proper resources to do their jobs and protect our communities. Many small fire companies and emergency medical service providers are unable to purchase necessary equipment upgrades due to financial limitations. This funding will help create more efficient and effective first responders, and I am proud I was able to help Mercy EMS secure this money.”

“Mercy EMS is extremely pleased to be awarded a grant through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program,” said Bill Schutt, general manager for Mercy EMS. “The grant will allow Mercy EMS to equip all our first-line ambulances with power-lift stretchers and tracked stair-chairs. These two devices will have multiple impacts on our operations. The power stretcher allows a crew to lift a patient with the touch of a button, eliminating manual lifting and the associated risk of injury to crews. Likewise the tracked stair-chair allows a patient to be moved down a flight of stairs with no lifting involved, again reducing the risk of injuries from lifting. The additional impact of the equipment involves increased patient safety and when dealing with larger patients the ability to move them with an increased level of dignity. As a nonprofit agency Mercy EMS could not afford these upgrades without grant assistance.”

Mercy Flight WNY will host "An Irish Evening" from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday March 14 at Terry Hills Golf Course Banquet Facility, located at 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia. This is a fund-raising event to include an Irish-themed dinner, open and cash bar, 50/50s, Chinese and silent auctions, door prizes and entertainment.

There will be an Irish sit-down dinner, and free wine and beer at the bar from 5:30-6:30. Menu is corned beef and cabbage, soup, salad and dessert. (Alternate dinners for special diets available if requested prior to March 1st.)

Tickets for the event are $35 per person -- pre-purchase only -- and can be bought online at www.mercyflight.org or by contacting Lynn O’Donnell at 716-864-5060 or lodonnell@mercyflight.org

Event organizers are currently looking for basket or silent auction donations as well as event sponsors. If you wish to help, please contact O'Donnell for further information or for pick up of the items you wish to donate.

Mercy Flight WNY is a local, independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air medical transport. Established in 1981, Mercy Flight WNY has flown more than 23,000 patient missions. Mercy Flight WNY serves the counties of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania out of bases in Buffalo, Batavia and Olean ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mercy Flight WNY performs this lifesaving service without regard to the patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. In the last fiscal year, Mercy Flight WNY forgave over $1.5 million in care provided to uninsured or underinsured patients. Please help us to remain a "Beacon of Hope" -- when minutes matter for our community by contributing to this fund-raising event.

Members of the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors visited the Mercy Flight hangar at the Genesee County Airport today to present $10,000 in donations raised through golf a tournament sponsored by the association. Mercy Flight WNY and Mercy Flight Central each received $5,000.

Representing the realtors were John Leonardi, Christy Rothschild, Joe Rivelino, Sharon Ciminelli, Dorreen Fahey, Debbie Norman, Rebecca VanDorn, Diana Carney and Lynn Gleason. On hand from Mercy Flight were Lynn O'Donnell, Andy Gill, Jason Miles, Ross Feinmann, Samantha Ryan, Jeff Bartkowski and Taryn White (listed not by picture order).

Mercy Flight/Mercy EMS, with the help of local volunteer fire departments, the Sheriff's Office and State Police, hosted an open house today in the parking lot of Home Depot. The highlight might have been the flyover of Mercy Flight #5, piloted by Brian Smith.

Press release:

Mercy Flight and Batavia Downs Gaming will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Batavia Downs Gaming facility. Our first Big Hearts for Helicopters fundraiser will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The event will have a Valentine's Day-themed buffet dinner featuring roasted top sirloin beef with Merlot mushroom sauce, chicken Marsala, pasta primavera, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, desserts, coffee and soda. Dinner will be available from 6:30 tp 9 p.m. and there will also be a cash bar throughout the event.

There will be a Chinese and silent auction and the classic rock band Karma will play downstairs during the evening at Rush 34.

We are looking for auction items and gift baskets. If your business or organization would like to participate, please call Outreach Coordinator Lynn O'Donnell at (716) 864-5060 or (716) 626-4100.

FAX is (585) 343-3623.

Tickets are $40 per person and include dinner and $15 free play at the casino. They can be purchased at all Mercy Flight air bases, A & N Automotive, and at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce on East Main Street in the City of Batavia.

Tickets are PRESALE ONLY so please reserve your spot by Feb. 13.

All proceeds will go to help Mercy Flight continue its mission of being a Beacon of Hope for the community when minutes matter.

Bring your sweetie out for a fine evening of great food, music and entertainment for a good cause.

The driver of a truck hauling an out-of-service Mercy Flight helicopter apparently hit a slick spot on the road and lost control of the truck, causing the trailer to roll over.

The helicopter was heavily damaged when it rolled off the trailer.

"It's just property damage," said Mercy Flight's CFO Margaret Ferentino. "That's the good news. Thank goodness, no one was hurt."

The helicopter was taken out of service in 2011 and had been sold to a company in Australia. It was being hauled to Canandaigua for repainting.

Most of the components had been removed to prepare it for repainting, Ferentino said.

Based on pictures from the scene, Ferentino said it appears the helicopter was totaled in the accident, but it will be assessed when it's returned to Mercy Flight's base in Buffalo.

The accident was reported at 10:38 a.m. in the area of mile marker 402, which is just west of the Pembroke toll plaza.

Photo: Courtesy NYSP Public Information Officer, Troop A, Trooper Victor Morales.

Terry Hills hosted the 5th Annual Hackers for Helicopter golf tournament today to benefit Mercy Flight.

The event served as a tribute to first responders. Mercy Flight pilot Brian Smith spoke of the dedication and sacrifice of first responders on behalf of their communities and said that all first responders consider it an honor to serve. Joining him were crew members William Hockenberry and Susan Thompson.

Skydivers also parachuted onto the ninth fairway to help kick off the event.

The skydiving team of Mike Maly, Bob McEvoy, Tim Allen, Bill Zipfel, with Nichols and Anthony Maly holding the flag. Mike Maly is a Buffalo firefighter and Zipfel is a member of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Both wore their uniforms for their dive.

It's pretty much impossible to drive around Genesee County the past couple of weeks and not see the signs: "Mercy Flight was here."

As you might have guessed, the signs are placed at locations where Mercy Flight has responded to an emergency medical situation, such as an accident or other dire health-related call.

According to Jeffrey Mendola, director of development & external affairs for Mercy Flight, about 300 such signs have been placed in Genesee County.

"The sign campaign is important to help the community understand the role we play and the role the first responders play," Mendola said. "They see where we've been and see it could be their community or their neighborhood."

Mercy Flight reviewed all of the calls that resulted in a helicopter landing at emergency scenes throughout Western New York in the past two years and selected 2,000 for sign placement. The 2,000 locations represent only a portion of Mercy Flight calls over the past 12 years.

The signs were placed at their locations by the volunteer fire departments that originally responded to the particular calls.

Calls of an overly sensitive nature, such as domestics, were excluded, as were locations that might have very low vehicle traffic volume.

Mendola said when he was at the Erie County Fair this past week, a couple from Warsaw said they counted at least 30 signs between their home and the fair.

Since the sign campaign started, traffic to Mercy Flight's Web site is up 50 percent, Mendola noted, which is important because at the site people can learn that Mercy Flight is a non-profit organization and also learn how to make a contribution to help cover the emergency medical agency's costs.

It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while Mercy Flight can't fly a lifesaving mission because of bad weather.

More of those missions could be flown if hospitals installed devices to assist pilots flying instrument-only.

Jeff Mendola, an external affairs director for Mercy Flight, met with the Public Service Committee on Monday and provided an annual review of Mercy Flight operations to the county, including information on plans to move toward greater IFR (instrument flying rules) capability.

In 2011, first responders issued 122 requests for Mercy Flight, and 70 missions were completed. UMMC made 34 requests and 29 missions were completed.

The majority of cancelled missions were ground or in-air standbys where it was determined that the patient did not require air transport, but about one third of the scrubbed missions were cancelled because of weather conditions.

Developing greater IFR capability is a matter have deploying helicopters with IFR technology, training pilots and ensuring point-to-point IFR devices.

A ground device costs about $30,000. And while all airports have them, there haven't been hospitals in the region with instrument flight equipment, including Strong Memorial Hospital and Erie County Medical Center.

Now nearly all of Mercy's helicopters -- including the new Bell 429, known as Mercy Flight 5, pictured above -- have controls for instrument flying.

Getting hospitals upgraded and pilots trained go hand-in-hand so that's the process Mercy Flight is engaged in now.

In 2011, 20 percent of Mercy's missions went to Strong and 43 percent to ECMC.

While Mercy Flight doesn't transport to United Memorial Medical Center, it does pick up patients at the Batavia hospital two or three dozen times per year. But the facility is close enough to the Genesee County Airport that UMMC doesn't need instrument capability, Mendola said.

The airport is within seven minutes for the Bell from any part of Genesee County. If the helicopter could fly to a property equipped Strong or ECMC, the decision for medical responders would simply be what's fastest -- ground transport to a trauma center, or transport to the airport then instrument flying for the Bell from Genesee County to the appropriate hospital.

As it stands, in medical emergency situations where Mercy Flight is grounded, ambulance transportation is the only option.

Last year, Mercy forgave $700,000 in care provided to uninsured and under-insured patients, which worked out to $842 per patient. To help cover those costs, Mercy is running a program where individuals or groups can sponsor a mission.  Donations can be sent to: Mercy Flight, Inc., 100 Amherst Villa Road, Buffalo, NY 14225.

Mendola said Mercy Flight may be the last purely nonprofit medical emergency transport operation in the United States.

An early morning medical emergency brought Mercy Flight to Chandler Avenue in Batavia, but it wasn't just another life-saving mission for the crew of Mercy Flight 5.

It was the 20,000th mission flown by the Buffalo-based non-profit air ambulance corps.

“When I started Mercy Flight back in 1981, I never dreamed that we could help so many people,” said Douglas H. Baker, Mercy Flight’s founding president. “I’m extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last 30 years as a not-for-profit organization.

"We never could have reached this milestone without the assistance and support of our local volunteer firefighters, hospital and law enforcement partners and the communities we serve.”

The dispatch came at 2 a.m., Friday, and the patient was transported from Batavia to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Mercy Flight operates from bases in Buffalo, Batavia and Olean.

Last year, Mercy Flight forgave more than $700,000 in care provided to uninsured or under-insured patients, according to a press release.

The average cost is $842 per flight.

Individuals and groups can "Sponsor A Mission" with a donation of $842. For more information, visit mercyflight.org or call (716) 626-4100.

It's $6.5 million worth of life-saving machinery and now it's based in Batavia.

Mercy Flight #5 was officially dedicated at the Genesee County Airport on Tuesday morning.

The Bell 429 helicopter equipped with state-of-the-art technology was paid for with a $3 million loan from the USDA and a USDA-guaranteed loan from M&T Bank.

Without the 20-year loan, instead of a traditional five- or six-year loan, said Margaret Ferrentino, CFO of Mercy Flight, there's no way the air and ground ambulance service could have afforded the new helicopter.

The dedication was attended by Mercy Flight and Mercy EMS staff, local elected officials and a variety of local emergency and law enforcement representatives.

Mercy Flight #5 will serve Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

The new helicopter was blessed by Rev. John Gaglione, left, pictured with Mercy Flight CEO Doug Baker and Sister Sheila Marie Walsh.