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.

BERT Pilot Henry Salguero

“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.”

For more than 30 years, BERT in partnership with Wings of Hope have provided hope to the Belizean people, providing humanitarian air medical evacuations across Belize. Patients are transferred from out district regional hospitals to mainland Belize City for higher level of care. BERT and Wings of Hope have traditionally hired retired Wings of Hope FAA licensed Pilots from the USA to captain the air medical evacuation program. Wings of Hope continues to support BERT to meet the humanitarian emergency air medical needs of Belize.

“Air medical evacuation services allows us to reach our patients timely and efficiently, from remote locations as far as Punta Gorda Town to San Pedro and Corozal,” commented – Andre Carrillo – Executive Director, BERT. “During a crisis, air medical evacuations provides hope to our patients requiring higher level of care. 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. We therefore extend our gratitude to MBECA and Minister Perez for believing in us, for supporting us and for the continued collaboration to improve and grow our air medical emergency evacuation services. Our plan is to increase our fleet to meet the growing needs. We are also collaborating in the transfer of airplane title from Wings of Hope to BERT to take ownership of our air ambulance. We look forward to a long lasting relationship with MBECA, for the benefit and greater good of the public we serve.”

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