Reno-Based Air Medical Helicopter Now a Dual-Response Tool for Wildfire Season in NV and CA
8.5.2026
REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) is deploying a dual-mission approach to its medical helicopter to help protect areas in northern Nevada and eastern California.
A Reno-based EMS helicopter is expanding its response capabilities and will now help fight regional wildfires across northern Nevada and eastern California. REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) is deploying a dual-mission approach to its medical helicopter to rapidly transition into early wildfire response to help protect entire communities, making it the first dual medevac and fire suppression aircraft in northern Nevada.
During wildfire season, the first moments after ignition can determine whether a small fire becomes a major disaster. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, a majority of wildfires are contained during initial attack, underscoring the importance of rapid aerial support when conditions allow.
The REACH helicopter can be reconfigured in just 10 minutes. When the helicopter is not doing medical transport, crews can quickly transform the aircraft by securing medical equipment and attaching the Bambi bucket (water bucket) using the aircraft’s external cargo hook. If a medical call comes in, the process is reversed, and the aircraft is returned to full air-medical services.
“Much like a medical emergency, when a fire starts, minutes matter,” said Stacey Ingram, regional director for REACH. “By using this helicopter when it’s available, we’re adding a critical initial-attack resource that can help slow a fire early, making a real difference for the community we’re working to protect.”
For EMS response, the aircraft is staffed by a pilot, a flight nurse and a paramedic, transitioning to just a pilot during wildfire response. The REACH pilot will work in partnership with the Sparks Fire Department and local fire service cooperators for regional deployments. The firefighting capability for an EMS helicopter was achieved through a rigorous, multi-year process that included FAA certification, aircraft configuration approvals, and advanced pilot training in aerial suppression techniques and fire-agency coordination.
REACH currently provides interfacility and emergency medical transport services across northern Nevada using both rotor-wing and fixed-wing resources, serving rural and hard-to-reach communities where access to definitive health care can be limited. That commitment to patient care remains unchanged, and the aircraft will still be primarily used for critical care response.
During wildfire season, the first moments after ignition can determine whether a small fire becomes a major disaster. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, a majority of wildfires are contained during initial attack, underscoring the importance of rapid aerial support when conditions allow.
The REACH helicopter can be reconfigured in just 10 minutes. When the helicopter is not doing medical transport, crews can quickly transform the aircraft by securing medical equipment and attaching the Bambi bucket (water bucket) using the aircraft’s external cargo hook. If a medical call comes in, the process is reversed, and the aircraft is returned to full air-medical services.
“Much like a medical emergency, when a fire starts, minutes matter,” said Stacey Ingram, regional director for REACH. “By using this helicopter when it’s available, we’re adding a critical initial-attack resource that can help slow a fire early, making a real difference for the community we’re working to protect.”
For EMS response, the aircraft is staffed by a pilot, a flight nurse and a paramedic, transitioning to just a pilot during wildfire response. The REACH pilot will work in partnership with the Sparks Fire Department and local fire service cooperators for regional deployments. The firefighting capability for an EMS helicopter was achieved through a rigorous, multi-year process that included FAA certification, aircraft configuration approvals, and advanced pilot training in aerial suppression techniques and fire-agency coordination.
REACH currently provides interfacility and emergency medical transport services across northern Nevada using both rotor-wing and fixed-wing resources, serving rural and hard-to-reach communities where access to definitive health care can be limited. That commitment to patient care remains unchanged, and the aircraft will still be primarily used for critical care response.
