PETALUMA, Calif. - Calhoun County Emergency Management Service in Texas and Jump Aero, a Petaluma, Calif.-based aviation manufacturer, have agreed to collaborate on a trial deployment of Jump Aero’s flight-based first responder operations within the county. The partnership will allow for field testing of the JA1 Pulse, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to shape future operations in rural communities across the United States.
Unlike other eVTOL designs focused on urban air mobility or passenger transport, the JA1 Pulse is specialized for emergency services. It is intended to transport a single skilled first responder and essential medical equipment directly to the site of an emergency, where immediate intervention can make a crucial difference.
Its vertical takeoff and landing capability allows the JA1 Pulse to operate in areas without runways, including rugged terrain, confined spaces, and other locations that lack traditional infrastructure, making it especially useful in rural or disaster-prone areas. The trial will also focus on exploring funding opportunities through grants and federal programs.
Calhoun County’s geographic and logistical challenges make it a suitable location for this initiative. The county includes barrier islands with limited road access, is prone to natural disasters, and features remote areas frequently visited by tourists, hunters, and nature enthusiasts. In some parts of the county, ambulance response times can exceed the critical window needed to improve survival rates. The JA1 Pulse aircraft aims to address this by enabling first responders to fly directly to emergency scenes.
"Calhoun County has been looking for a solution to provide timely response within our geographical challenges, and this aircraft has the promise to make a real difference to our residents," said Dr. J. Dustin Jenkins, Calhoun County Director of EMS.
Jump Aero President and CEO Carl Dietrich emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, "We are excited to find such a great partner for our demo operations. The data we gather from initial deployment will drive our long-term operations and provide crucial lessons to bring us closer to saving lives of rural Americans."
