Fire Rescue: Helicopter Landing Zone Guidelines

• Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 320-02 provides guidelines for establishing a landing zone (LZ) for Trauma Hawk or other helicopters.
• The guidelines are effective as of September 5, 2024.
• The Fire Rescue Administrator is responsible for this guideline.
• This guideline applies to all Emergency Operations personnel.

General Information

• A minimum of a three-person Engine, Rescue Pumper, or Aerial company is needed to establish a landing zone.
• The LZ suppression apparatus should be positioned close to allow the rapid deployment of a 1¼" pre-connected hose line.
• Other Fire Rescue vehicles should be outside the landing zone and under power lines that cross the roadway.
• A clear, flat, and firm area of at least 120' by 120' is needed for a safe landing zone.
• The Pilot makes the final decision to use the landing zone site selected by the ground crew.
• Empty fields or parking lots are better than roadways with power poles.
• Traffic should be stopped in both directions when landing on a divided highway if it conflicts with aircraft operations, at the pilot's discretion, or at the Incident Commander's discretion.
• If possible, landing zones should allow the aircraft to approach into the wind without flying directly over the emergency scene.
• People should only approach the aircraft when accompanied by a member of the flight crew.
• The flight crew will meet the ground crew for an exchange of patient information and escort the ground crew to the aircraft for patient loading.
• Ground crews approaching an aircraft should have a helmet, eye protection, and hearing protection.
• Abort indicates that the landing zone is no longer safe.
• All personnel should identify hazards and abort if ground units or helicopters are in danger.
• When calling for an abort, personnel should announce “Abort, Abort, Abort" on the TAC channel.
• A wave-off with arms waved back and forth over the head indicates the landing zone isn't safe and final approach should be aborted.
• The marshaller maintains direct radio communication with the flight crew to ensure the landing zone is clear.
• The ground crew designation is "Landing Zone" on the air.
• Landing zone radio communications may remain on the incident TAC channel; this decision is up to the Incident Commander or Pilot.
• If there are two helicopters at one landing zone, a separate TAC channel should be dedicated.
• If there are two landing zones at different locations, each needs to be on different TAC channels.

Daytime Landing Procedures

• The marshaller and tail rotor guards must have full bunker gear, eye protection, and ear protection.
• The final approach is when the aircraft is making its final leg and descent to the landing zone.
• The marshaller should initially mark the recommended point of helicopter landing within the landing zone with the prevailing wind at their back, if possible, and maintain direct radio contact with the aircraft.
• Marshallers identify themselves by holding both hands straight up over their head until recognized by the aircraft by radio.
• The tail rotor guards should stand on either side of the marshaller.
• On final approach, the marshaller points both arms at the touchdown location of helicopter landing when the aircraft begins final approach.
• The marshaller and tail rotor guards should move out and away to a safe location, nearby another obstacle, while still maintaining viewing the aircraft.
• No ground crew should approach the aircraft until the flight crew has exited the aircraft.
• When the landing zone is in a fenced area, the ground crew positions at access points.
• When the landing zone isn't in a fenced area, the ground crew secures the area once the rotor blades have been placed into idle mode, rotors have slowed down, and the flight crew gives direction.
• Ground crews should position themselves at least 50 feet away at the 12, 5, and 7 o'clock positions.
• Before the flight crew exits the aircraft NO ONE shall approach the the aircraft.
• Remain in position until the aircraft is ready to depart and the rotor blades begin to speed up.
• Move out and away from the aircraft as the rotor blades begin speeding up.
• Every attempt should be made to maintain the landing zone for at least two minutes after departure.

Nighttime Landing Procedures

• Nighttime landings need to be well-lit or marked with light sticks or box flashlights.
• Flares can not be used to mark a landing zone.
• Lights should be positioned so they don't interfere with flight crew vision.
• Once the Pilot has located the incident scene or landing zone, all non-essential emergency lights should be turned off.