People around the world are wary of getting out of the confines of the home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The result has been a reduction in emergency calls for the air ambulance industry. The change has come into play due to the reduced crime rates and accidents as fewer people have ventured out lately. While this is a good sign in general, there is a negative commercial aspect to it that can affect this commercial emergency service profoundly. It must be understood that reduced calls affect the revenue of the air ambulance industry in general where most players are heavily indebted.
The Expenses have Increased
Responding to emergencies is no longer the same as it used to be. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed things deeply. Today, the paramedics must sport personal protective equipment (PPE) before they venture out into helping anyone on the ground. This is essential to protect the crew’s health and also that of the person who is facing the emergency. This results in a further uptick in the cost as these PPEs cannot be reused. Also, there are protocols in place for sanitization after each evacuation, which further adds to the cost.
The Air Ambulance Industry is Seeking Financial Aid
It is not that there has been no financial aid coming towards the air ambulance industry; however, it is yet to be seen how effective the distribution has been. It must be noted in this context that several small players in the industry cater to rural communities. These critical services are the only line of defense for these communities where local hospitals have shut down in large numbers. If these organizations are not helped financially, they might eventually shut down. It is therefore vital that a close watch is kept on the industry’s requirements.
