Rex J. Alexander
Education & Certifications
- 2013: International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Auditing Workshop, Chicago, IL
- 2013: International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Fundamentals of IS-BAO Workshop, Chicago, IL
- 2010: Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) / Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Heliport Evaluation (Prototype) Training course, Oklahoma City, OK
- 2006: Performance Improvement Training for Healthcare, Executive Learning Inc., Dallas, TX
- 2006: Corporate Facilitator Training, Executive Learning Inc., Dallas, TX
- 1990: United States Army Crew Resource Management Instructor Course, Fort Hood, TX
- 1990: United States Army Aeroscout Instructors Course, Fort Rucker, AL
- 1987: United States Army Aeroscout Aviators Course, Fort Rucker, AL
- 1986: United States Army Rotary Wing Basic Course, Fort Rucker, AL
- 1986: United States Army Warrant Officer Course, Fort Rucker, AL
- 1985: B.S. in Aviation Maintenance and Management, Parks College of Aviation & Aerospace Technology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
- 1985: Certified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Technician, Parks College of Aviation & Aerospace Technology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Work Experience
Senior Consultant, Member and Co-Founder
Jan 2012 – Present: HeliExperts International LLC
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International consultancy services in the aviation, helicopter and air medical industries specializing in regulatory research support, heliport design and audits, operations, education, training, safety, litigation support and expert witness services.
Consultant
Apr 2004 – Present: Owner/Operator of R.J. Alexander Consulting, L.L.C.
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Consultant in the aviation, helicopter and air medical industries specializing in heliport design, operations, training and safety.
Helicopter EMS Lead Pilot
August 2011- Present: Air Methods Corp. Englewood, CO
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Lead pilot and air medical helicopter pilot for Air Methods Corp at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Regional Operations Manager, Central U.S.
Nov 2008 – August 2011: Omniflight Helicopters Inc., Dallas, TX
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Oversee part-135 air medical helicopter operations at 24 locations in 8 states across the central United States acting as the primary liaison for operations,. safety, maintenance and customer relations.
Helicopter EMS Base Manager & Lead Pilot
Apr 2004 – Nov 2008: Omniflight Helicopters Inc., Dallas, TX
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Base manager and air medical helicopter pilot for Omniflight Helicopters at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Helicopter EMS Pilot & Base Safety Manager
Jul 1994 – Apr 2004: Omniflight Helicopters Inc., Dallas, TX
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Air medical helicopter pilot at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Program safety Manager
Offshore Helicopter Pilot in the Gulf of Mexico
Feb 1994 – Jul 1994: Crescent Helicopters, Galveston, TX
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Provide transpiration to oil field operators, equipment and supplies throughout the oil fields infrastructure of the Gulf of Mexico.
Military Helicopter Pilot, Instructor Pilot and Standardization Instructor Pilot
Oct 1985 – Mar 1995: U. S. Army Active & Guard, Worldwide operations
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Helicopter pilot in command operating both in the United States and over seas.
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Attached to the following units of operation: General Support Company, Helicopter Cavalry Squadron, Attack Helicopter Battalion & Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Platoon.
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School Trained Aeroscout and Aeroscout Instructor Pilot
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Standardization Instructor Pilot
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Specializations: Reconnaissance, Target Acquisition, Close Air Support, Joint Air Attack Coordination and Command and Control.
Aircraft Manufacture Inspector
Jan 1985 – Aug 1985: McDonald Douglas Corp., St. Louis, MO
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Structural and component inspector specialized in composite and sheet metal fabrication during construction and assembly for the F-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle & AV-8B Harrier aircraft.
Credentials
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Commercial Pilot
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Rotorcraft-Helicopter
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Instrument-Helicopter
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Private Pilot
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Airplane Single-Engine Land
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Mechanic Rating (A&P)
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Airframe
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Powerplant
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U.S. Military, Army
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Certified Aeroscout Pilot
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Certified Aeroscout Instructor Pilot
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Standardization Instructor Pilot
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Flight Experience
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Total Flight Time
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5,100
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Pilot-in-Command
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4,900
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Helicopter
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5,000
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Military Instructor Pilot
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427
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Night
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1,240
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Night Vision Goggle
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310
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Cross Country
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1,400
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Air Medical
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3,230
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# of Patients Transported
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3,130
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Instrument
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75
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Industry Experience
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Former President, National EMS Pilots Association
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Former President, Indiana Association of Air Medical Services
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Board of Directors, National EMS Pilots Association
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Board of Directors, Indiana Association of Air Medical Services
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Committee Member- Helicopter Association International Heliport Committee
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Committee Member – Helicopter Association International Air Medical Services Committee
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Committee Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 418 Standards for Heliports.
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Committee Member, U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) Infrastructure Working Group (IWG)
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Committee Member, U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) Human Factors Working Group
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Past Instructor for the National Association of Air Medical Communication Specialists (NAACS)
Consulting Specialties:
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Heliport Safety, Design, Audits & Risk Analysis
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IBC, IFC & NFPA code interpretation for heliports
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Helicopter Air Ambulance Specialist
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Aviation Infrastructure & Master Planning
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IS-BAO Auditor (Rotary Wing & Fixed Wing/Operations & Maintenance)
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Air Medical Program Design
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Air Medical Contract and RFP Design & Review
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Emergency Action Plan Evaluation and Construction
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Regulatory Interpretation & Research
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Government and Public Relations
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Public Speaker, Lecturer & Educator
Lectures & Seminars Designed & Presented
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Preemptive Accident investigation Techniques from the FAA and NTSB
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Pilot Error Truth or Dare: Accidents at heliport blamed on pilots where poor infrastructure was a major contributing factor
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Haiti Aviation Infrastructure Design / Concepts for a Growing Country
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Helicopter Infrastructure Safety Concepts from the IHST/JHSIT/IWG
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HEMS Weather Reporting and Safety Issues
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HEMS Infrastructure An Accident Review
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Customer Service and Safety / Promises That Should Never Be Made
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Artificially Induced Heliport Turbulence / Causes, Effects and Prevention
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Magnetic Hazards at Heliports
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Heliport Paint Schemes for Night Vision Goggle Operations
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Aviation Weather and EMS Operations
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Air Medical Helicopter Scene Operations and Safety
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Emergency Action Plans and Good Practices
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First Responder Training for Air Medical Helicopter Operations
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Navigation and Map Reading
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Flight Following
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Radio Operations for EMS and Air Medicine
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Hazardous Materials and Helicopter Operations
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Aviation Operational Control in Air Medicine
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Federal Aviation Regulations
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Air Medical Personal Protective Equipment
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Hospital Staff Helicopter and Heliport Safety
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Heliport Design, Safety and Education
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Quality Communications Skills
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Setting Up and Running a Safety Committee
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Positive Habit Transfer in Aviation and EMS
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Air Medical Contracts 101
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HEMS Accident Intangibles
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HEMS Advanced Accident Investigation
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How To Be a Air Medical Base Manager
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Helicopter Ground Handling Safety
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Flight Physiology for Air Medical Crews
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Top-10 Killer Attitudes
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Air Medical Accident Review for Communication Specialists
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Safety, Shift & Flight Briefings and Debriefings
Speaking/Lecture Engagements and Clients
National Air Medical Transport Conference
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2014 – Nashville, Tennessee
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2013 – Virginia Beach, Virginia
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2010 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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2009 – San Jose, California
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2008 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
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2007 – Tampa, Florida
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2005 – Austin, Texas
Helicopter Association International (HAI) HeliExpo Conference
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2014 – Anaheim, California
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2013 – Las Vegas, Nevada
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2012 – Dallas, Texas
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2010 – Orlando, Florida
Indiana Emergency Response Conference
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2014 – Indianapolis, Indiana (INAAMS Midwest HEMS Conference)
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2011 – Indianapolis, Indiana
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2007 – Indianapolis, Indiana
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2006 – Indianapolis, Indiana
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2005 – Indianapolis, Indiana
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
- 2014 – Orlando, Florida
North Carolina D.O.T. Division of Aviation, State Helicopter Safety Conference
- 2008 – Lowes Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
Indiana Hazardous Material Conference
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2006 – Greenwood, Indiana
Transportation and Safety Institute; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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2011 – Advanced Helicopter Accident Investigation / HEMS Operations
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2010 – Heliport Design and Safety
National Association of Air Medical Communication Specialists
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Multiple years and locations throughout the United States.
Client List for Training and Education Programs
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Health-One Transport, Women’s Hospital of Texas; Houston, Texas
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LifeLine Critical Care Transport, IU Medical Center; Indianapolis, Indiana
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Lutheran Air, Lutheran Hospital; Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Mayo Clinic; Rochester, Minnesota
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Med Center Air, Carolina Medical Center; Charlotte, North Carolina
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MedFlight of Ohio; Columbus, Ohio
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MedFlight, Memorial Hospital; South Bend, Indiana
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Medic-1; Jonesboro, Arkansas
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Rescue Air; Atlanta, Georgia
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St. Louis Children’s Hospital Transport; St. Louis, Missouri
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St. Mary’s LifeFlight; Saginaw, Michigan
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Teddy Bear Air, Cook Children’s Medical Center; Fort Worth, Texas
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University Air Care Transport; Cincinnati, Ohio
Publications and Articles
Rex J. Alexander, “Are Your Heliports Killing Your Patients?”, Waypoint AirMed & Rescue Magazine (August 2104); Impact that hospital heliport design can have on patient morbidity and mortality.
Rex J. Alexander, “Magnetic Hazards at Heliports”, Waypoint AirMed & Rescue Magazine (Issue 44 / March 2013); Magnetic hazards at heliports and risk mitigation strategies to avoid them.
Rex J. Alexander, “Defeating the Survivor Syndrome”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (March/April 2012); Avoiding the destructive us versus them syndrome.
Rex J. Alexander, “Making Opinions Count”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (January/February 2012); An overview of NEMSPA’s heliport safety survey results.
Rex J. Alexander, “Professionalism“, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (November/December 2011); Introduction of the NEMSPA “Air Medical Pilots Credo in response to the NTSB naming professionalism to their Top-10 list.
Rex J. Alexander, “Do the Right Thing”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (September/October 2011); A breakdown of NEMSPA’s philosophy, history and goals.
Rex J. Alexander, “Who is NEMSPA“, Waypoint AirMed & Rescue Magazine, (August 2011); An overview of who and what NEMSPA is, does and has accomplished.
Rex J. Alexander, “Breaking the Cycle“, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (July/August 2011); Avoiding the repetitive cycle of failure due to leadership change.
Rex J. Alexander, “Heli-Expo 2011”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (May/June 2011); An overview of current and ongoing NEMSPA industry initiatives.
Rex J. Alexander, “Adding the Salt”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (March/April 2011); An overview of NEMSPA’s position paper on the FAA HEMS NPRM.
Rex J. Alexander, “Putting the Air Back In”, Air Medical Journal, Presidents Forum, (November December 2010); An overview of the need to encourage pilot involvement in the air medical industry.
Rex J. Alexander “Here’s Your Sign!”, National EMS Pilots Associations AIRNET (April 2010), Warning and caution signs that every heliport should have to enhance safety and reduce liability.
Rex J. Alexander, “The Hot Load, Time Saver or Time Waster?”, National EMS Pilots Associations AIRNET (January 2009) (Risk benefit evaluation associated with hot loading versus cold loading patients into a helicopter).
Rex J. Alexander, “Air Medical Launch Times and Influencing Factors”, National EMS Pilots Association AIRNET (January 2008) (Review of influencing factors that dictate what a reasonable safe launch time standard should be and the consequences of not paying attention to real world data and variables).
Rex J. Alexander, “Hospital Helipads: Safety, Liability, and Regulatory Issues Hospitals Must Know and consider”, National EMS Pilots Associations (September 2008) (Web based presentation on helipad design from a regulatory and safety perspective).
Rex J. Alexander, “Helicopter Shopping: What Hospitals & First Responders Need to Know”, (January 2008) (discussing the challenges and hidden dangers of coordinating flight requests across multiple hospital and first responder systems).
Rex J. Alexander, “The Option Play”, National EMS Pilots Associations
AIRNET (January 2007) (commenting on the pilots role in risk management for HEMS operations).
Rex J. Alexander, “The Illusive Silver Bullet, National EMS Pilots Associations AIRNET (January 2007) (emphasizing a comprehensive common sense approach based on culture not technology to reducing HEMS accidents).
Industry Initiatives Participated In
- Participant in National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Light Emitting Diode (LED) Airport/Heliport Lighting Task Group
- Participant in FAA Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP), Washington D.C.
- Participant in Friends and Partners of Aviation Weather (FPAW) at NBAA meeting in Orlando, Florida
- HEMS industry lead coordinator with the FAA, NCAR, NOAA, NWS and AWC for HEMS Weather Safety Summit, Washington, D.C.
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Lead author of the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) National Heliport Safety Survey.
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Committee member and contributor on the Model Air Medical State Guidelines Task Force (MASGIT).
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Designer and architect of the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) “Risk and Liability Assessment Tool for Heliports”.
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Participant in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Weather Research Program (AWRP) National Ceiling and Visibility Analysis (NCV) Product Development Team (PDT), Ceiling and Visibility Analysis (CVA) Preliminary Hazards Assessment (PHA) of an algorithm program for automated real-time analysis of current ceiling and visibility conditions across the contiguous United States (CONUS).
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Co-Author National EMS Pilots Association White Paper “Utilization of an Independent Industry Task Force for the Review and Rewrite of the FAA/DOT Heliport Advisory Circular”.
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Co-Author of the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) review and comments on the Federal Aviation Association HEMS NPRM on HEMS and Part 135 and Part 91 helicopter operations.
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Co-Contributor on National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) En-route Decision Point Program.
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Co-Contributor on National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) No Pressure Initiative/CHAMPS (Cultural Health Assessment and Mitigation Program for Safety.
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Participant in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) course creation, “Heliport Evaluation Course” for FAA and DOT field inspectors.
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Lead designer of the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) Heliport Safety Sign Campaign.
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Participant in the Federal Aviation Administration and Helicopter Association International A021 Operational Specifications Rewrite Efforts.
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National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) board member participant and party member participant in the NTSB four day hearing on Helicopter EMS operations and accident prevention, Washington, D.C.
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Co-Coordinator of Indiana Association of Air Medical Service (INAAMS) state wide education program on the “Dangers of Helicopter Shopping”.
Additionally…