Helicopter Landing Zone Procedures PDF

HELICOPTER PROCEDURES PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish general guidelines for the requesting and use of helicopters from other agencies, for Emergency Medical (EMS) Transport for trauma incidents, including Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) and/or assistance with aerial reconnaissance...

HELICOPTER PROCEDURES PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish general guidelines for the requesting and use of helicopters from other agencies, for Emergency Medical (EMS) Transport for trauma incidents, including Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) and/or assistance with aerial reconnaissance or rescue for high-rise suppression, dive rescue or Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) incidents. The Incident Commander (IC) may use his/her discretion to request the response of a helicopter for any other incident that he/she deems that it may be useful (I.e. offshore shipboard fire, etc.) In all incidents where a helicopter is considered, it is important to remember that the sooner it is requested the greater the impact it will have. AGENCIES Helicopters may be requested, through the Fire Central Information Office (FCIO) from the following agencies: 1. Emergency Medical Transport (Trauma Center) a. Miami Dade Fire Rescue 2. Aerial Reconnaissance / Aerial Rescue a. Miami Dade Fire Rescue (Air Rescue) b. City of Miami Police Department c. United States Coast Guard EMERGENCY MEDICAL (EMS) TRANSPORT (Trauma Center) 1. The Miami Dade Fire Rescue Department helicopter (Air Rescue) may be requested for incidents involving trauma patients, including MCIs, where the anticipated transport time, to a capable facility, exceeds twenty (20) minutes. The IC should take into account that ground transportation to the Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, from most locations in the City of Miami, will NOT exceed this 20 minute timeframe, even during peak traffic times. 2. The use of a helicopter for trauma patient(s) transport will be most beneficial for MCIs whereby the transport of all (or most) of the victims, meeting trauma center criteria, to the closest trauma center (Jackson Memorial Hospital) may overwhelm the trauma network. AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE / AERIAL RESCUE Edited: 4/22/09 1. A helicopter response from one of the agencies listed above for Aerial Reconnaissance or Aerial Rescue may be considered by the IC for the following incidents: a. High-Rise fire suppression operations, with a large vertical evacuation component i. Especially where occupants may be forced to evacuate to the roof b. Open water Dive Rescue incidents for rescue i. Coast Guard helicopter response is preferred in these situations c. Large scale Haz-Mat operations for aerial reconnaissance d. Following a large scale natural or manmade disaster (hurricane, tornado, bombing etc.) where it may be difficult to find the location of the incident due to the destruction of natural landmarks and street signs by the disaster. • So long as they are not overwhelmed with other operations LANDING ZONE (LZ) PROCEDURES 1. If a Helicopter response, which requires the helicopter to land, is requested for an incident within the City of Miami, the Miami Fire-Rescue Department will be responsible for establishing and operating a LANDING ZONE (LZ). 2. Landing Zone Dispatch: a. The automatic dispatch for the establishment and operating of an LZ shall be: • One (1) suppression unit with a fire pump, hose and a water tank (Pumper or Quint). The officer on the Pumping unit will be the LZ/IC. • One (1) standby Rescue exclusively for the LZ personnel • This Rescue shall not be used for the treatment or transport of patients from the actual emergency scene. • The LZ/IC may at his /her discretion request additional units if needed. 3. ALL LZ personnel shall be dressed in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), consisting of bunker gear (including firefighting hood and gloves) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). • LZ personnel do NOT have to don their SCBA facepieces, unless conditions warrant it (I.e. fire or severe debris disturbance by the helicopter) 4. The LZ/IC, together with input from the other unit(s) on the scene shall determine the location of the LZ, keeping in mind that the final decision on the suitability of the LZ is that of the Aircraft Commander (pilot). 5. When establishing an LZ, there are several rules to keep in mind: a. The LZ shall be a square of one hundred feet (100’) on each side or a circular pattern of one hundred feet (100’) in diameter. Edited: 4/22/09 • Use road flares to mark the perimeter of the LZ. Edited: 4/22/09 b. The LZ shall be located at least one hundred feet (100’) from the emergency incident site. c. The LZ shall have a maximum slope of ten degrees (10o). d. The LZ should be set up as to facilitate takeoffs and landings INTO the wind. • Do not rely solely on wind direction reports from FCIO or Weatherbug®. • Use visual indicators. e. If the LZ/IC is not sure of the wind direction or of which direction the Helicopter should approach from, then he/she should wait until the Helicopter is in the area and confer with the Air Crew on this decision. Edited: 4/22/09 f. The approach and departure ends of the LZ should be clear of obstacles. • “Obstacles” are any object that is forty feet or greater (≥40’) in height and within one hundred (100’) from the LZ. • Examples of Obstacles: • Power lines • Electrical poles • Tall trees • Buildings • Signs g. Debris such as wood, cans or plastic should be removed from the LZ. • Flying debris can do damage to both the Helicopter and/or personnel on the ground. h. The LZ/IC should consider wetting down the LZ to minimize the hazard of blowing sand or dust. i. Personnel from the suppression unit shall be assigned to Marshalling & Helicopter Safety responsibilities. j. Personnel from the suppression unit shall lay a five inch (5”) supply line and pull, charge and man a one and three quarter inch (1¾”) jumpline. • The supply line shall also be charged. k. Personnel from the Rescue unit shall serve as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) standby unit. l. The LZ/IC shall oversee all LZ operations. m. Once the Helicopter has landed, the Marshaller shall get a “thumbs up” from the Air Crew and immediately post a minimum of one (1) Tail Rotor Guard. • This will be someone other than the Marshaller. n. No unauthorized personnel shall be permitted to approach the Helicopter. • This is the general responsibility of ALL Fire-Rescue Department personnel, but it is most definitely the overall combined responsibility of the Aircraft Commander and the LZ/IC. o. In keeping with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards, no person(s) will approach or depart from an Air Rescue Helicopter on an incident scene or helipad unless escorted by an Air Rescue Crew Member. • This procedure will ensure that no one approaches or departs the Helicopter without the knowledge of the air crew. p. Once the Helicopter has landed, the Marshaller should confer with the Aircraft Commander as to the Helicopter’s departure. 6. MARSHALLING a. The Aircraft Commander may not always follow the exact direction of the Marshaller. • This shall be coordinated with the LZ/IC. b. Most approaches will be made directly to the ground and not to a “hover”. c. The Aircraft Commander may elect to land without the assistance of a Marshaller and may request that the Marshaller remain clear of the LZ until after the Helicopter has landed. d. The LZ/IC shall assign one of the personnel from the crews assigned to the LZ the Marshalling duties. Edited: 4/22/09 e. Marshaller shall stand at the outer edge of the LZ perimeter on the windward side with his/her back to the wind. f. Marshaller shall remain in eye contact with the pilot at all times. g. DO NOT APPROACH the Helicopter until the Marshaller has received the “all clear” (thumbs up) signal from the pilot or flight medic. h. Marshaller shall be in full PPE with goggles on or helmet visor down. i. Marshaller shall use two (2) flashlights (with wands attached, if available) for Marshalling operations. j. The Tail Rotor Guard shall ensure that everyone stays clear of the tail rotor at all times. k. All personnel shall approach Helicopter in pilot’s field of vision only. l. All personnel approaching the Helicopter shall use the “low crouch” method and carry any tools below the waist level. m. All members shall become familiar with the Marshalling Hand Signals. 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