NEMSPA receives the third annual Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award.

NEMSPA was formed in 1984American Eurocopter is proud to announce that the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMPSA) has been selected to receive the third annual Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. The organization was chosen because of its contributions to safety initiatives and education throughout the industry.

The National EMS Pilots Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional pilot organization that is dedicated to serving pilots involved in the air-medical transport industry and to improve the quality and the safety of those services. The organization enjoys a rich history of innovation and excellence spanning over 25 years. NEMPSA was formed in 1984 with the mission to help the Air Medical industry prosper safely and enhance the delivery of healthcare. It has become synonymous with professionalism and safety, and NEMSPA works very closely with the federal agencies, industry organizations, health care systems, air medical providers and many others to promote quality and safety in the industry.

The American Eurocopter Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award was started in 2007 to promote aviation safety within the air medical community. A Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by industry consultant Bill Bryant, reviewed the nominations and selected the winner. "The committee was very impressed by the number of safety initiatives that NEMSPA has driven and been a part of in recent years, including their most recent project the 'No Pressure Initiative,'" said Bryant.

Some of the NEMSPA initiatives include:

NEMSPA No Pressure Initiative
Heliport Safety Sign Campaign
EMS Pilot Fatigue Research Project in collaboration with Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D.
EMS Pilot Sleep and Fatigue Survey
Participation in the NTSB hearings on the HEMS industry as a party member / submitted document "An Opportunity to Improve"
Night Vision Goggle Pilot Survey
FAA Night Vision Goggle Introduction Flight Program
Participation in Dr. Ira Blumen's research study identifying root causes of HEMS accidents
National Hospital Helipad Safety Education Program
National AWOS integration project & ADDS HEMS Weather Tool Research to include participating in the HEMS Weather Summit
As part of the award, American Eurocopter presented NEMSPA with a check for $10,000 to continue their efforts.

"Safety is paramount in our industry and we take great pride in presenting this year's award and check to NEMSPA," stated Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. "Initiatives like theirs will help ensure that we are able to achieve the highest levels of safety."

Larry Roberts, American Eurocopter Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support, presented the award and the check to the NEMSPA board members, during the AMTC Community Awards Banquet.

Also announced during the banquet, was that the Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) received an honorable mention for their continuous commitment to safety. "STARS has an impressive program," explained Bryant. "Unfortunately we only have one Vision Zero award a year, but we wanted them to receive recognition for the hard work and commitment to safety within their organization and the industry."

For more information on The American Eurocopter Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award, along with the nomination form and instructions, please visit:

About American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer that produces, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, and is an affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world. American Eurocopter's product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facilities are located in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS, that produces the UH-72A for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter program.