Emergency helicopter now operating out of Northeast Ohio Regional Airport

University Hospitals has placed a medical helicopter and an ambulance at the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport, and crews are using temporary hangar housing while awaiting an FAA permit for permanent modular living quarters.

University Hospitals has placed a medical helicopter and an ambulance at the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport in Denmark Township. The placement follows years of negotiation and months of preparation to establish an emergency transport base at the airport. Permanent modular housing for crews will be built after the Federal Aviation Administration approves a permit for construction of living quarters. In the meantime, hospital and airport leaders arranged temporary mobile-home housing inside a hangar so crews can begin operations. Key details: - Crews are currently staying in temporary mobile homes inside a hangar while on shift as the FAA permit is pending. - Ashtabula County Commissioner J.P. Ducro had sought on-site helicopter and ambulance service to address needs in the southern part of the county. - Officials said the federal government shutdown complicated the permit approval process, prompting the temporary housing arrangement. - University Hospitals stated the base will provide air medical and ground transport services and aims to give patients faster access to critical care. - This is the third UH AirMed helicopter base in Northeast Ohio, joining locations in Geauga and Medina counties. Summary: The new UH AirMed base places air and ground emergency transport at the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport and uses temporary hangar housing while awaiting FAA approval for permanent modular crew quarters. Officials have met with local fire departments, and the construction of permanent living quarters depends on the FAA permit decision.