Behind the scenes at Devon Air Ambulance Trust HQ

We were delighted to be invited for a tour around DAAT HQ today (13th June 2018).

Our Turf Manager Andy and Marketing Co-ordinator Chrissie, were the lucky pair on the visit and straight away got hands on with DAAT’s second helicopter at the airbase, the EC135, purchased in 2013.

 

 

Masons Kings are proud to be corporate sponsors of the charity organisation, for many years so jumped at the chance for a visit around their HQ at Exeter Airport.

Celebrating their 25th Anniversary last year the charity began in 1992. Six year’s earlier a Devon local, Ann Thomas’ son Ceri was tragically killed in an accident where he was knocked from his bike and taken to hospital by road ambulance. Asking what could have saved her son, she was told by the hospital SPEED could have saved him. This stayed with Ann and she launched the ‘Ceri Thomas Appeal’ to raise funds to get an Air Ambulance in Devon.

Six years later on 27 August, she’d succeeded and Devon Air Ambulance flew for it’s first mission.

Today the charity has 2 helicopters, one in Exeter and one in North Devon and between them are able to get to nearly everywhere in Devon within 15 minutes!

DAAT is well-known and supported across the South West but here are some key facts we picked up which you may find interesting!

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Did you know…

• It only takes the DAAT 4 to 5 minutes for the helicopter to take off with a full team and all the kit on board once an emergency call is received.
• On a standard flight the DAAT team will consist of a paramedic, doctor and of course the pilot!
• Before the helicopters take off the weight of the crew and kit is checked to determine how much fuel capacity they can carry and therefore how long they can fly for.
• DAAT take priority almost 100% of the time with air traffic control at Exeter Airport except when the Queen is scheduled to take off (but we are sure she would accept a small delay to let DAAT take off first).
• DAAT currently employ 98 people across their airbases and shops with an additional 500 extremely valued volunteers.
• In November 2016, DAAT began flying at night, allowing them to help even more people.
• DAAT respond to 999 emergency calls, in the same call centre as all other emergency services. A specially trained team called HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) manage the dispatch of not only Devon Air Ambulance but also Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire which is great as it means they can all work closely together and the closest team at the time can be dispatched.
• The DAAT is fully self-funded through donations and fundraising and receives no Government funding. To maintain their service every year they have to raise £6.8 Million.

 

 

You can find out more about DAAT on their website.