The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Air Rescue Bureau provides regional aero-medical transport, search and rescue, firefighting, and tactical support to MDFR operations, and those of local municipalities, state and federal government agencies.

MDFR helecopters transport severely injured trauma patients to State approved Level I Trauma Centers, and flight crews are trained in additional tactical disciplines necessary to deploy personnel and equipment in search and rescue missions, firefighting operations, and reconnaissance on large incidents such as wildland fires and catastrophic events.

On October 1, 2005, MDFR celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the Air Rescue program. The program has grown from one aircraft in 1985 operating out of the Tamiami Executive Airport to the current fleet of four aircraft operating out of the Tamiami and Opa Locka Airports.

Current Fleet:
Air Rescue operates four Bell Helicopter 412s (BH 412 EPs). Each aircraft is equipped with the following:

• Patient loading systems normally configured allow the transport of two critical-care patients, with the option to reconfigure for up to six patients in Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs).
• An external hoist for helicopterborne rescues.
• An external high-power searchlight, "The Night Sun," is used for night operations.
• MCI Command and Control suitable radio suite.
• Night Vision Goggle compatible lighting.

During the dry season, one aircraft is configured for firefighting with a Simplex Fire Attack tank. The tank is filled by either an attached hover refill pump, or from a suitable fire hydrant. Additionally, each aircraft is equipped to be configured with a Bambi Bucket for firefighting water-drops.

Staffing:
An "Alert Aircraft" is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at each of our two Alert sites, Air Rescue South and Air Rescue North. Two Flight Medics and Two Pilots are assigned to each Alert Aircraft. They can respond to any Miami-Dade location within minutes and transport patients to the nearest appropriate trauma or medical center. When Air Rescue responds to an incident, the Fire Alarm Office dispatches ground fire rescue units to the designated Landing Zone (LZ) to provide LZ security and safety. 

The Air Rescue command and support staff is based at the Air Rescue South facility and includes the following:

• Chief Pilot
• Aircraft Maintenance Chief
• Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
• Administration & Procurement Office
• Logistics / Research & Development Office
• Flight Medic Training & Standardization Office
• Pilot Training & Standardization Office
• Safety Office

Air Rescue Operations:

• Advanced Life Saving (Trauma Alert) / Acute Medical Care
• Firefighting Platform
  • Bambi Bucket
  • Fire Attack Tank
• Search and Rescue (Inland, Coastal and Everglades)
• MCI Helicopterborne Command and Control Platform
• External Load Resupply