DOI: 10.36347/sasjm

Pages: 223-225

In Japan, the main helicopters that transport patients are physician-staffed helicopters (known as doctor helicopters [DHs] in Japan), Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FEMA) helicopters, military (Self Defense Force: SDF) helicopters and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) helicopters. The FEMA, SDF and JCG helicopters also operate at night, from sunset to sunrise, but there are no available open data regarding nocturnal transportation from these agencies. Shizuoka Hospital was designated a relief medical hospital by the local government should VIPs suddenly become severely ill when visiting Shizuoka Prefecture. Accordingly, we conducted nocturnal landing and take-off training for the evacuation of a suddenly-ill VIPs using a Ground SDF helicopter under control of the local government. As the medical resources in this area are limited, nocturnal landing and taking off from a heliport are important for receiving patients at any time of the day or night in order to provide the best and earliest medical interventions. Repeatedly conducting practical training with military and civilian co-operation is essential for enhancing preparedness by improving our understanding of the local inhabitants near our hospital