A Global Flight Plan: What HEMS Can Learn Across Borders, part 1 | Ep 80

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.

Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) may share the same mission around the world, but the systems built to accomplish that mission can look very different.

In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider are joined by Jens Schwietring from ADAC Luftrettung for an international look at HEMS through the lens of the German and U.S. systems. 

Together, they explore the similarities and differences in system design, crew training, pre-hospital care, operational models, and the approaches used to deliver critically ill and injured patients the right care at the right time.
Jens offers insight into the European approach to helicopter emergency medicine and how Germany has worked to optimize its system around patient care, efficiency, and clinical capability. The conversation also examines what the U.S. can learn from the German experience—and, just as importantly, what European systems can learn from the challenges, innovations, and successes found in American HEMS.

From training and system optimization to patient outcomes and operational efficiency, this episode highlights the value of looking beyond our own borders for new ideas. Because while our aircraft, crews, and healthcare systems may be different, the mission remains the same: Continually finding better ways to reach our patients and deliver the highest level of care possible.

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Spectrum Aeromed and Technisonic Industries.