The 4 Dutch Mobile Medical Teams (MMT) are based near the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Nijmegen and Groningen. One MMT base consists of approx 8 pilots, 10 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Nurses and 12 physicians (anesthesiologists or trauma surgeons). The MMT of Amsterdam and Groningen also have approx. 10 Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO). A HLO is usually an ambulance driver, trained as HLO.
The crew consisting of one pilot, one HEMS nurse, one doctor and one HLO in Amsterdam and Groningen. (The MMT have always two transportation options: 1) Helicopter, 2) an ambulance (a SUV car, not capable of patient transport). The helicopter (Airbus H-135) is able to fly 24/7 according to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Special VFR.
In daylight, time from dispatch to airborne is 2 minutes, with a cruisingspeed of approx 130 kts. The helicopter lands at the nearest possible open space with a size of 25x25meters (82×82 foot). If the helicopter can’t land in within approx 200m (650 foot) from the incident, a police car will take the crew from the landing site to the incident.
In nighttime, time from dispatch to airborn is 4 min with a cruisingspeed of 130 kts. Within city limits, the helicopter may land in a pre-explored landingspot. Outside congested areas, the helicopter lands at the nearest possible open space with a size of 50×25 meters (160×82 foot). If the helicopter can’t land within approx 200m (650 foot) from the incident, a police car will take the crew to the incident.