MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones PDF

Procedure 504 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 1 MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones 504.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides arr...

Procedure 504 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 1 MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones 504.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides arrival and on-scene procedures for the Chesapeake Fire Department to establish a MEDIVAC landing zone. Corresponding Policies: 307 Aircraft Operations 300 Incident Management 504.2 FIRST FIVE MINUTES The Incident Commander (IC) should appoint a landing zone (LZ) Coordinator. The LZ Coordinator should: #Confirm with the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) that at least one engine company has been dispatched or, if at an active incident, confirm with IC that at least one engine company can be dedicated to the LZ assignment. #Upon arrival at an LZ location, evaluate the site for suitability or, if assigned to establish an LZ, locate a suitable LZ. #LZ suitability considerations should include, but not be limited to, the following: • A flat, open grassy or hard surface area • At least 100-feet square or larger • Clear of trees, power lines, poles and other obstructions • At least 100 yards from any response-related or other human activity #If an LZ is suitable, confirm that fact with ECC. If an LZ is not suitable, notify ECC that an alternate LZ should be identified. Proceed to the alternate location and repeat the above steps. #If assigned to establish an LZ at an active incident, notify the IC and ECC of the location. #Once the LZ location is confirmed as suitable, request an operating channel from ECC for direct communication with the aircraft, make contact and • Request an ETA. • Advise the pilot that confirmation will be given when the LZ is prepared for landing. 504.3 DETERMINE THE NEED FOR AEROMEDICAL RESPONSE Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 2 504.3.1 DETERMINE THE NEED FOR AEROMEDICAL RESPONSE The need for aeromedical response may be determined by either the Incident Commander or Attendant-in-Charge. The final decision to utilize an aeromedical asset will be the responsibility of the Attendant-in-Charge. Consideration for determining the need for aeromedical response should include: (a) Transport time (ground versus air) - consideration here should include: • Time of day (as an indication of traffic congestion) • Weather conditions (b) Patient need – i.e. Does the patient need medical care/interventions that cannot be provided by the ground crew but can be provided by the flight crew? 504.3.2 AEROMEDICAL TRANSPORT CRITERIA If the patient becomes ready for transport and the helicopter’s ETA is greater than 10 minutes, initiate immediate ground transport. If a suitable Helispot is not available, or the patient is ready to be transported prior to the helicopter arrival, then the helicopter may be directed to an established hospital helipad at the closest hospital. • Unstable or potentially unstable airway (potential for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) or surgical airway) • Prolonged extrication of the patient from the accident site • Injury with neurological deficit (i.e. GCS 10 or less) • Patient ejected from vehicle • Death of occupant in same vehicle • Unrestrained occupant of vehicle rollover • Age 55 or older with multiple trauma • Pedestrian struck >20 mph • Motorcycle accident >20 mph • Fall from a height >20 ft • Burns>15% BSA, burns that may compromise airway /respiration,or burns involving critical area (hands, feet, genitalia) • Penetrating trauma • Ground transport time >20min. to a trauma center • Critical medical patient in which immediate transport to a specialty care facility is critical for patient outcome and transportation delay will impact care (LVAD, Stroke, STEMI, etc.) Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 3 504.3.3 AEROMEDICAL NOTIFICATION ECC will make contact with the requested aeromedical unit. The following information should be provided to assist with the aeromedical response: • Response or stand-by • Caller's name and department • Location of call or landing zone • Radio talk group assigned for aeromedical operations (separate from incident) • Landing zone manager identification • Call back number Nightingale has the ability to use all the fire department tactical channels; additionally there is a Nightingale talk-group in the hospital radio zone. 504.4 PROCEDURES 504.4.1 RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT Established helipads are considered secure and do not require a department response to secure unless otherwise directed. (a) Apparatus 1. The driver operator should make reasonable efforts to position apparatus so personnel can immediately engage in fire suppression operations, with consideration for: • Access to and distance from a fixed water source, if available. • Access to the LZ and surrounding area while keeping a safe distance for landing and take-off. • Making sure the foam system (if equipped) is ready for use and a handline is deployed, if resources are available. • Turning off any unshielded apparatus lighting to prevent it shining upward and affecting the vision of the pilot. 2. Personnel (a) A minimum of two firefighters should be in full personal protective equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), prepared to deploy attack lines should conditions warrant. (b) Field Medical Officer. (c) Battalion Chief. (d) Police department. 504.4.2 OPERATIONS (a) To prepare the LZ, the LZ Coordinator should: Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 4 1. Assign personnel to walk the area to clear debris that could be picked up by rotor wash or create a danger to the aircraft or ground personnel. 2. Mark the LZ corners with weighted traffic cones. (a) Helispot must be a minimum of 100' x 100' in size. (b) Helispot for large helicopters must be a minimum of 200' x 200' 3. If dark, contact the pilot and ask if lighting is wanted. If so, deploy any or all the following resources, depending on availability: (a) If available, mark the LZ corners with red auxiliary lights. If not available, use half-mile lights set to strobe and facing inward to the center from the corners. (b) Two vehicles at the borders of the LZ with headlights facing the center of the LZ. Vehicles should not be opposite each other to avoid blinding the vehicle driver operators. (c) Mark wind direction on the upwind side of the Helispot. 4. Assign personnel to keep all individuals at least 100 feet from the LZ. 5. If an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or laser pointer is being employed, it should be shut down during LZ operations. 6. Reasonable steps should be taken to keep any third parties from using a UAS or laser pointer during LZ operations. (b) After the LZ is prepared, the LZ Coordinator should: 1. Contact the pilot and confirm that the LZ is ready for use. 2. Aid the pilot in locating the LZ, if requested. 3. Advise the pilot of any reasonably identified conditions that could create a landing hazard, including but not limited to: (a) Any sloping on the site (b) Nearby power lines (c) Nearby activity (d) Nearby structures 4. Advise ECC when aircraft has landed. (c) After aircraft has departed the LZ Coordinator should: 1. Advise ECC. 2. Assign personnel to remove any LZ markers or landing aides. 3. Clear the scene with ECC. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 5 504.4.3 HELISPOT REPORT The flight crew will attempt to contact the designated landing zone manager once they are within radio range for landing zone information only (usually within 10 minutes from landing). Specific patient care reports are not desired.The LZ report should consist of: (a) Helispot location (b) Helispot markings (c) Wind direction and if ground gusts are present (d) Obstructions at or near the Helispot (i.e. radio towers, power/phone lines, etc.) (e) Number of patients being aeromedically evacuated (f) Primary injuries (g) Approximate patient weight(s) (h) Any special patient / scene conditions (i) Obtain an ETA on helicopter arrival 504.5 UNIVERSAL PRACTICES Personnel operating in or near an LZ should: 1. Not approach the aircraft until directed by the pilot. 2. Approach and walk away from the aircraft from the side only. 3. Not walk around the tail rotor. 4. Protect eyes from rotor wash during landing and takeoff. 5. Not carry anything overhead. 6. Not run towards, around or away from the aircraft. 7. Allow the aircraft crew to control activity around the aircraft. 8. Secure loose objects light enough to be blown into the rotor blades. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department MEDIVAC Helicopter Landing Zones - 6 504.6 PROCEDURE DECISION TREE