Executives from the Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) recently conducted a site visit to Long Island, engaging with health officials and residents while inspecting facilities at Stella Maris and Deadman’s Cay airports. This visit followed a series of town-hall meetings on Cat Island and virtual consultations with residents of Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay. The initiative is part of a broader plan to establish a nationwide aviation emergency-response network, including aviation trauma centers, air-ambulance bases, and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).
Lyrone Burrows, a BACSWN executive, explained that the project stems from the group’s Heads of Agreement with the Bahamian government, which authorizes BACSWN to provide aviation meteorology services and live flight tracking. These services will form the foundation for a parallel emergency-response system designed to benefit both international aviators and local communities. Burrows emphasized the group’s commitment to creating trauma centers near every international airport, supported by ambulances, trained medical staff, and dedicated air-evacuation hubs. Four strategic locations across the southern, central, and northern Bahamas have already been identified for these bases.
The goal is to reduce emergency-response times to 30–40 minutes by positioning aircraft and personnel closer to high-risk areas. Burrows highlighted that this initiative will significantly improve access to life-saving interventions, with all activities being coordinated with relevant government ministries and agencies. BACSWN has partnered with Response Plus Medical (RPM), a global aviation emergency-services provider based in Abu Dhabi, to implement the project. RPM plans to deploy up to 50 aviation-based ambulances, over 200 medical professionals, and a HEMS network. Additionally, RPM will establish training centers in the Bahamas to prepare locals for new roles created by the project.
During their visit to Long Island, the BACSWN team met with Health Administrator Anya Forbes and toured the Simms Community Clinic with Head Nurse Stubbs. They also inspected both airports, where Bahamas Airports Authority executive Euley Glinton expressed strong support for the plan, noting its potential to enhance medical and firefighting capabilities for both aviation users and the broader community. Public meetings were held in Clarence Town and North Long Island High School, with Island Administrator Jandilee Archer delivering opening remarks.
Burrows encouraged residents to prepare for economic opportunities tied to the project’s rollout, including new jobs, real estate rentals, and support services. While BACSWN officials did not provide a specific start date for construction or deployment, they confirmed that the emergency-response network will be introduced in phases over the coming months, with government oversight and regulatory collaboration at each stage.