Emergency Aeromedical Service
| Abbreviation | EAS |
|---|---|
| Established | 2012[1] |
| Purpose | Provision of helicopter emergency medical services |
Region served | Ireland |
Parent organization | Air Corps National Ambulance Service |
The Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) is a helicopter-based medical evacuation and air ambulance service based in Athlone, Ireland.[2] Operated since 2012 by the Air Corps and National Ambulance Service under the call sign MEDEVAC 112,[3][4] the service was redesignated AIR CORPS 112 in 2016. It is a joint project of the Irish government Departments of Defence and Health, and provides an advanced-paramedic response to patients whose location or clinical condition requires aeromedical support.[5]
The service was launched on an initial 12-month trial basis on 4 June 2012,[6] operating initially on a Eurocopter EC135 aircraft and later on an AgustaWestland AW139, based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, Westmeath.[7][8][9] It continued to operate beyond the initial trial period, and was made permanent in June 2015.[10][11] As of 2022, the unit had reportedly "completed over 3500 missions".[12]
References
- ^ "Tánaiste officially opens new Emergency Aeromedical Service helicopter hangar in Athlone". gov.ie (Press release). Department of Defence. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Emergency services called to two separate falls in Clare". The Irish Times. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "PHECC Newsletter - Winter 2013 - The Emergency Aeromedical Service". Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council. 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Decision on future of air ambulance still awaited". The Clare Herald. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Air ambulance in 695 missions in 2014". The Clare Herald. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "The Emergency Aeromedical Service". Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "Launch of the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) – Ireland's Health Service". Health Service Executive. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "Ireland's First Emergency Aeromedical Service". Phecit.ie. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ Flynn, Patrick (28 May 2013). "No decision made on future of HSE's air ambulance service". irishtimes.com. The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "Minister considering report on air ambulance". The Clare Herald. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Air Ambulance Service | Department of Health". Department of Health. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "10th Anniversary of the Emergency Aeromedical Service (Air Ambulance Helicopter)". military.ie (Press release). Irish Defence Forces. 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2025.