New EMS helicopter on display Friday in North Bend

Two new helicopters that will be used locally for emergency medical services will be on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Emergency Airlift’s headquarters at 1180 Airport Way in North Bend.

During that time, drawings will be held for several free demonstration flights for Emergency Airlift members. Nonmembers may sign up at the event or online at www.emergencyairlift.com.

Emergency Airlift, which provides local air ambulance service, recently bought the helicopters. They will be used solely for emergency medical services work in Oregon, west of the Cascade Mountain Range.

The helicopters will be the first EMS helicopters based at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend and at the Roseburg Municipal Airport.

The helicopters will allow Emergency Airlift to land directly at the hospital or scene of an accident, drastically shortening the time to transport patients, according to a news release. The helicopters can transport one patient with a critical care specialty team directly from hospital to hospital.