FEMA lines up COVID-19 air ambulance service to support Alaska fishing season

In support of the State of Alaska, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the planning stages to support contingency medical evacuation requirements during the coming fishing season. The COVID-19 pandemic combined with the Alaskan fishing season occurring June-August brings in approximately 60K-80K individuals into the state to support the fishing industry. The influx of a large transient workforce could potentially put stress on the medical system especially in the rural areas

“This is a Special Notice that is a request for Information addressing the capability to provide an Air Ambulance Service in Alaska,” FEMA officials said in contract documents released Wednesday.

In support of a State of Alaska request, as directed by and in coordination with FEMA, contractor rotary and fixed-wing aircraft will provide air transportation support for medical evacuation to support COVID-19 operations through Sept. 1.  Transport is anticipated to be one or two patients at a time.  The vendor will transport patients from various rural communities in the state to Anchorage.

Potential pick up locations:
•       Unalaska
•       Cold Bay
•       Kodiak
•       Egegik
•       King Salmon
•       Dillingham
•       Togiak
•       Cordova
•       Juneau
•       Sitka
•       Ketchikan