New tool for first responders will help save lives of babies, children
By Zach Rael
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — A new tool for first responders in Oklahoma City will help save the lives of babies and children all over the state.
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health gave KOCO 5 an exclusive look at their new neonatal-pediatric helicopter.
The children’s hospital has had a helicopter for years, but now with the new helicopter, they will be able to help more children in Oklahoma, faster and better than everyone.
“Time is everything. Every second counts. Us being able to get to those babies can make all the difference,” said Kaylun Peters, manager transportation team.
Peters showed KOCO 5 their new neonatal, pediatric helicopter in a video and interview provided by OU Health.
“There has been a lot of anticipation,” Peters said.
The new, double-engine helicopter will now allow the specially trained team to travel further and faster to every child in the state who is in need.
“It’s the next chapter for us and how we are providing services and being a resource for the entire state,” said Jon Hayes, president of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.
Hayes said with their previous helicopter, they have always been able to provide service to babies. With the new helicopter, they can now carry more weight, which means they can now help older children and even their mothers, as well.
“Not only are we providing services for neonatal, but also pediatric and in the future maternal transports for moms,” Hayes said.
The helicopter will be ready to go 24 hours a day. Peters said the new helicopter will make all of the difference.
“Babies are so fragile and they are so special and specific. We have all worked very hard with specialty training to do that,” Peters said.
The Children’s Hospital said they have already put the helicopter to use. The crews have already transported several babies from rural parts of Oklahoma to the metro since the helicopter has been in use, which is just a couple of days.
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