This story is part of AIN's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation.
NBAA has formed a partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) to ensure hospitals can tap into the Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to coordinate Covid-19 assistance capabilities. Now 15 years old, the NBAA HERO database serves as a compilation of people, aircraft, and other resources that are available to assist with disaster response and has been used for efforts such as the 2010 Haitian earthquake and numerous hurricanes. NBAA has worked with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Red Cross, among others, to coordinate HERO database assets.
“Business aviation is uniquely positioned to provide assistance to the citizens, companies, and communities grappling with the Covid-19 crisis,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Our HERO database will connect supplies and services with hospitals across the country, including those in small towns and rural communities. We thank the American Hospital Association for coordinating with us, to ensure we reach the people most in need.”
The medical community has been exploring all options to increase production and distribution of personal protective equipment, added AHA executive v-p and COO Michelle Hood. “Through this unique partnership with NBAA, we will be able to further these efforts to keep our health care professionals safe and protected as they deliver care on the front lines.”
