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Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines has announced that they will be expanding their helicopter service to include a second Mercy One aircraft that will be located in Marion County. The new helicopter will be based at the Knoxville airport and will begin full-time 24 hour service this November. The Bell 407 aircraft will have an auto-pilot and Mercy officials expect a less than 10 minute response time to Pella, around 10 minutes to Oskaloosa, Albia and Chariton and 15 minute response to Ottumwa and Centerville. Knoxville Hospital and Clinics CEO Ann Helwig says she thinks this is a wonderful development for both the community and the hospital. Helwig says they already have a great relationship with Mercy Medical Center and this expansion will allow for an even faster response time when hospital patients and community members need the higher level of care that Mercy can provide.