Cook Children’s Medical Center gets new helicopter

The Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport in Fort Worth, Texas, has taken delivery of a new EC145 helicopter.

In keeping with the holiday season the new helicopter arrived with Santa Claus on board. Adults and children came out to greet and see the $7.1 million helicopter as it landed on the grounds outside the hospital.

“Happy new helicopter, the elves enjoyed making it,” Santa said. Cook Children’s Medical Center President Nancy Cychol added, “The new helicopter is one nice little toy. The EC145’s large size is an important factor as now parents can stay with their child; before we didn’t have enough room.”

Outfitted by Air Methods Corporation (a large provider of air ambulance services) the new helicopter will allow the hospital to take advantage of modern technology available to assist in transporting children. For example, night vision goggle technology and a terrain awareness warning system for safety and a DVD player for patients.

The EC145 joins ground ambulance and fixed-wing airlift support services. Cook Children’s Teddy Bear Transport brings about 2,000 critically ill children to the Fort Worth medical facility annually.