52 Questions
What is the standard dispatch for an Air Rescue assignment according to the text?
One engine company and one rescue
Who is authorized to modify the assignment for an Air Rescue response?
Uniformed Fire Department Officers
What is the maximum ground transport time for a Level 1 trauma patient to necessitate Air Rescue response?
Greater than twenty (20) minutes
Under what circumstances may the need for additional units for an Air Rescue assignment arise?
When the unit assigned as the heli-spot (HS) group needs all of its personnel to properly secure the HS site
What is one of the safety considerations for air rescue?
Weather conditions
How should communication for air rescue be made?
Through dispatch with a tactical channel assigned
What must on-scene personnel communicate to air rescue as quickly as possible?
Patient status, weight, airway compromise, and any combative or suicidal behavior
What must landing zones be free of?
Potential safety hazards
How should the patient be prepared for air rescue?
Securing the patient to a long spine board and informing them about the high noise, heat, and wind levels during transport
What must ground personnel do immediately after patient loading?
Leave the landing zone area
How many personnel are required to move the patient to the helicopter?
A minimum of three personnel, including the flight medic
Who should remain clear of the landing area until directed to approach by the flight crew?
Hospital staff
What should all personnel involved in loading or offloading the patient have?
Proper head and eye protection
How should the patient be offloaded from the helicopter?
With assistance from hospital staff and at the direction of the flight crew
What is air rescue used for?
Severe medical emergencies, inter-facility patient transfers, dive emergencies, and search and rescue operations
What must personnel do prior to approaching the helicopter?
Remove all sheets, blankets, and lower IV poles to prevent airborne hazards
What is one of the considerations for the suitability of a landing zone (LZ) for a MEDIVAC helicopter?
A flat, open grassy or hard surface area
Who should be notified if assigned to establish a landing zone (LZ) at an active incident?
The Incident Commander (IC) and Dispatch
What is the minimum distance that a landing zone (LZ) should be from any response-related or other human activity?
At least 100 yards
What action should be taken once the LZ location is confirmed as suitable?
Request an operating channel from Dispatch for direct communication with the aircraft
What is the minimum number of firefighters required to be in full personal protective equipment (PPE) at the landing zone?
Two firefighters
What should be done if red auxiliary lights are not available for marking the LZ corners?
Use half-mile lights set to strobe and facing inward to the center from the corners
What is a reasonable step to take during LZ operations to prevent the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or laser pointers?
Shutting down any UAS or laser pointer being employed
What should personnel do immediately after the aircraft has departed the landing zone?
Remove any LZ markers or landing aides
What is the maximum distance that all individuals should be kept from the landing zone?
100 feet
What must personnel operating in or near a landing zone wear?
Helmet and eye protection
What should personnel not approach the aircraft from?
Above, front or rear
What should personnel not carry around the aircraft?
Anything overhead
What should personnel not allow to be blown into the rotor blades?
Loose objects light enough to be blown into the rotor blades
What should the LZ Supervisor do after the LZ is prepared?
Contact the pilot and confirm that the LZ is ready for use
What should the driver engineer do to prevent affecting the vision of the pilot?
Turn off any unshielded apparatus lighting
What should the LZ Supervisor do if the pilot requests assistance in locating the LZ?
Aid the pilot in locating the LZ
Who is authorized to modify the assignment for an Air Rescue response?
Uniformed Fire Department Officers
What represents incidents that may necessitate Air Rescue response?
Level 1 trauma patient with a ground transport time of greater than twenty (20) minutes to an appropriate trauma facility
Under what circumstances may the need for additional units for an Air Rescue assignment arise?
If the unit assigned as the heli-spot (HS) group needs all of its personnel to properly secure the HS site
What is the standard dispatch for an Air Rescue assignment according to the text?
One (1) engine company and one (1) rescue
What is one of the considerations for the suitability of a landing zone (LZ) for a MEDIVAC helicopter?
Presence of obstacles like trees, signs, posts, and debris
What is the standard dispatch for an Air Rescue assignment according to the text?
Through Dispatch as soon as possible
What must on-scene personnel communicate to air rescue as quickly as possible?
Patient status
What should personnel not allow to be blown into the rotor blades?
Sheets and blankets
Under what circumstances may the need for additional units for an Air Rescue assignment arise?
Severe cardiac crisis
What is the maximum distance that all individuals should be kept from the landing zone?
100 feet
What must ground personnel do immediately after patient loading?
Announce 'Abort' if a hazard is identified
What is a reasonable step to take during LZ operations to prevent the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or laser pointers?
Designate a marshaller at all times
What should personnel not approach the aircraft from?
Upon Air Rescue's arrival on the scene
What must landing zones be free of?
Potential safety hazards
What should the LZ Supervisor do after the LZ is prepared?
Communicate the intended landing zone area to the Air Rescue flight medics
How should communication for air rescue be made?
A tactical channel must be assigned for communications
What should all personnel directly involved with loading or offloading the patient have in place?
Proper head and eye protection
When should ground personnel leave the landing zone after patient loading?
Immediately
Who must remain clear of the landing area until directed to approach by the flight crew at the designated receiving hospital's helipad?
All hospital staff
What should a fire department do when requested to assist with a Landing Zone for an inter-facility patient transfer?
Operate as detailed in the Transport Guidelines
Study Notes
Helicopter Safety Protocol for Emergency Medical Services
- Air rescue is used for severe medical emergencies, inter-facility patient transfers, dive emergencies, and search and rescue operations.
- Safety considerations for air rescue include weather conditions, location of powerlines, obstacles in landing zones, and civilian traffic.
- Communication for air rescue must be made through dispatch, and a tactical channel must be assigned.
- On-scene personnel must communicate patient status, weight, airway compromise, and any combative or suicidal behavior to air rescue as quickly as possible.
- Landing zones must be free of potential safety hazards and have a designated marshaller present at all times.
- Patient preparation for air rescue involves securing the patient to a long spine board and informing them about the high noise, heat, and wind levels during transport.
- Prior to approaching the helicopter, personnel must remove all sheets, blankets, and lower IV poles to prevent airborne hazards.
- A minimum of three personnel, including the flight medic, are used to move the patient to the helicopter.
- Ground personnel must immediately leave the landing zone area after patient loading.
- Hospital staff must remain clear of the landing area until directed to approach by the flight crew upon the helicopter's arrival at the receiving hospital's helipad.
- All personnel involved in loading or offloading the patient should have proper head and eye protection.
- The patient shall be offloaded from the helicopter with assistance from hospital staff and at the direction of the flight crew.
Test your knowledge of helicopter safety protocol for emergency medical services with this informative quiz. Learn about the crucial safety considerations, communication procedures, patient preparation, and personnel responsibilities involved in air rescue operations.
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