Beginning this week, a medical helicopter from Dartmouth Health will set up a day base in the region, a Keene city official said. This will significantly shorten response times in the Monadnock Region.
The Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team, or DHART, responds to serious crashes and other instances of life-threatening injuries, bringing patients to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. Dartmouth Health has two helicopters, which are currently stationed in Lebanon and Manchester.
The city of Keene and Dartmouth Health agreed to try the new arrangement for the next year, according to City Manager Elizabeth Ferland. During that time, she said, DHART will be stationed at the Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Swanzey from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. a few days a week.
“This is a very positive development for Keene and the entire region,” Ferland said at Thursday’s City Council meeting. “Having DHART there on a more regular basis is going to strengthen our emergency response options for the area.”
It can take a DHART crew from either Manchester or Lebanon anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the weather, to arrive in Keene.
A representative from Dartmouth Health said the plan is still being fleshed out.
“We have moved forward with a review of the use of the airport and we have no further official comments at this time until things are more solidified,” the statement said.
Airport Director Ryan Cooley said Dartmouth Health has not yet finalized the Keene schedule for the helicopter, and since the crew only needs space for a helicopter and trailer, modifications weren’t required at the airport.
A successful testing phase could lead to a more permanent DHART presence at the airport, he added, maybe even making the airport a full-time base for a DHART helicopter.
“None of that is guaranteed at this stage, but that is the broader opportunity this temporary day-basing arrangement is intended to explore,” he said.
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