a. There is established the New Jersey Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Response Program in the Division of Local and Community Health Services of the Department of Health. The commissioner shall designate a mobile intensive care hospital and a regional trauma or critical care center which shall develop and maintain a hospital-based emergency medical service helicopter response unit. The commissioner shall designate at least two units in the State, of which no less than one unit each shall be designated for the northern and southern portions of the State, respectively.
b. Each emergency medical service helicopter response unit shall be staffed by at least two persons trained in advanced life support and approved by the commissioner. The staff of the emergency medical service helicopter response unit shall render life support services to an accident or trauma victim, as necessary, in the course of providing emergency medical transportation.