Helico Secours

Helico Secours is a Canadian solidarity cooperative (coopérative de solidarité) dedicated to helicopter and air medical rescue, based in Quebec. It describes itself as the first cooperative in North America specialized in air and helicopter medical transport. The organization operates a dedicated medical ambulance fleet and provides 24/7 emergency call coordination across its covered territory. Its mission is to offer equitable access to emergency air and helicopter medical transport for Quebec residents, whether they live in urban, rural, or remote areas, so they can receive advanced healthcare and improve their chances of survival. Services include emergency helicopter medical rescue, aeromedical evacuation (inter-hospital transfers by helicopter for specialized care such as neonatal, burn, neurosurgery, or cardiology cases), and RECCO search and rescue. Helico Secours is the fourth operational search and rescue organization in Canada to hold the innovative RECCO SAR helicopter detector, used year-round to locate missing persons outdoors. The cooperative also sells RECCO reflectors through its online shop and notes that they are available at SAIL. Membership is a core part of the model: individuals can become members and obtain annual coverage, with a promotion offering a free individual annual plan (valued at $90) to those who refer five new members. The cooperative emphasizes a unique vision of high-level, affordable medical rescue services. It operates a 24/7 emergency call center and coordinates all emergency services within its coverage area. Its medical concept focuses on rapid response to severe trauma to reduce mortality, complications, and long-term sequelae. In a September 2026 publication, Helico Secours announced the use of a new twin-engine BK-117 helicopter-ambulance, making heliports at all hospitals that have them accessible for emergency helicopter transports offered by the cooperative. The organization continues to expand its services and partnerships across Quebec.

Helico Secours was established as a solidarity cooperative (coopérative de solidarité) in Quebec, Canada, with the mission of providing equitable access to emergency air and helicopter medical transport. It describes itself as the first cooperative in North America specialized in air and helicopter medical transport. The organization operates a dedicated medical ambulance fleet and a 24/7 emergency call center, coordinating emergency services across its covered territory. From its inception, Helico Secours focused on serving Quebec residents in urban, rural, and remote areas, aiming to reduce mortality, complications, and long-term sequelae from severe trauma through rapid aeromedical response. Its services include emergency helicopter medical rescue, aeromedical evacuation (inter-hospital transfers for specialized care such as neonatal, burn, neurosurgery, and cardiology), and RECCO search and rescue. It became the fourth operational search and rescue organization in Canada to hold the RECCO SAR helicopter detector, enhancing its ability to locate missing persons year-round. A significant operational milestone occurred on September 10, 2026, when Helico Secours announced the use of a new twin-engine BK-117 helicopter-ambulance. This development made heliports at all hospitals that have them accessible for emergency helicopter transports offered by the cooperative, expanding its reach and capability. The cooperative also engages its members through referral programs, such as offering a free annual individual plan (valued at $90) to those who refer five new members, and sells RECCO reflectors via its online shop and through SAIL. As of its latest publications, Helico Secours continues to grow its services and partnerships across Quebec.

• Announced use of new twin-engine BK-117 helicopter-ambulance, making hospital heliports accessible for emergency transports.

Affordable, high-level air medical rescue cooperative for Quebec residents, emphasizing equitable access regardless of location.

• Emergency helicopter medical rescue

  24/7 helicopter ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate medical center for life-threatening conditions.

• Aeromedical evacuation

  Inter-hospital helicopter transport for specialized care such as neonatal, burn, neurosurgery, and cardiology.

• RECCO search and rescue

  Use of RECCO SAR helicopter detector to locate missing persons outdoors year-round.

• Annual membership

  Membership plans providing coverage; referral of five new members earns a free individual annual plan valued at $90.

1. 1Accueil - Helico Secours coopérative de solidaritéhelicosecours.ca
2. 2Recherche RECCO - Helico Secours coopérative de solidaritéhelicosecours.ca
3. 3Sauvetage d’urgence - Helico Secours coopérative de solidaritéhelicosecours.ca
4. 4Évacuation aéromédicale - Helico Secours coopérative de solidaritéhelicosecours.ca
5. 5Helico Secourswikidata.org