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Training And Recertification Of Belizean Pilot For BERT Air Medical Evacuations

The Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation (MBECA) has donated the training and recertification of Belizean Pilot, Henry Salgero to Captain BERT's Air Evacuation Program. In a press release, The Ministry says that is recognizes the invaluable services that Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) in partnership with Wings of Hope have been providing to the Belizean public, with humanitarian air medical emergency evacuations.

This donation has allowed BERT to hire a Belizean pilot, and allowed a family restoration of much needed income and jobs that COVID19 has decimated. Captain Henry Salgero is from San Pedro Town, and has accumulated in excess of 1,800 commercial flight time, meeting the requirement to captain BERT's air evacuation program. MBECA says that it is proud to sponsor BERT and Wings of Hope, as they have contributed significantly to the people of San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Belize, in saving lives.

"Belize is at a critical point of the pandemic where we have the opportunity to save lives by vaccinating our population and wipe out Covid-19 from our community," commented Hon. Andre Perez - Minister of MBECA. "We appreciate BERT for being there for our residents, especially the citizens of San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and our visitors alike. Before the availability of vaccines, BERT responded to and transferred patients from our islands San Pedro and Caye Caulker, valiantly, tirelessly and gave us all hope during one of our darkest periods. We are therefore pleased to support BERT as they continue to provide hope during medical emergencies, and ensure that a Belizean pilot gets a job, restoring much needed income to one family."

Click here to read the rest of the article in the Ambergris Today

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Training And Recertification Of Belizean Pilot For BERT Air Medical Evacuations

For years, BERT has been working with Wings of Hope, providing Belizeans with humanitarian air medical emergency evacuations. The service assists San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker residents who need emergency medical air evacuations.
This donation has allowed BERT to hire a Belizean pilot, and allowed a family restoration of much needed income and jobs that COVID19 has decimated. Captain Henry Salgero is from San Pedro Town, and has accumulated in excess of 1,800 commercial flight time, meeting the requirement to captain BERT's air evacuation program. MBECA says that it is proud to sponsor BERT and Wings of Hope, as they have contributed significantly to the people of San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Belize, in saving lives.

According to BERT's Executive Director Andre Carrillo, the equivalent of training and recertify a pilot at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) school in the United States (US) is US$15,000. "Through our partnership and with the help of Minister Perez, we were able to certify our local pilot, create a job for a Belizean captain from San Pedro, ensuring that we continue saving lives at our islands," said Carrillo.

Carrillo said that air medical evacuation services allow them to reach their patients timely and efficiently from remote locations. This includes from Punta Gorda Town in southern Belize to Corozal District in northern Belize and the islands. "During a crisis, air medical evacuations provide hope to our patients requiring a higher level of care," said Carrillo. "Our patients are our first priority, and our air ambulance has made a tremendous difference in ensuring we meet our mandate and commitment to our community." Carrillo indicated that there are plans to increase their fleet to meet the growing needs. BERT is also collaborating in the transfer of the airplane title from Wings of Hope to take ownership of the air ambulance.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun