3517 Requests for Air Transport (ems Operations)

Question 1

What policy number is Requests for Air Transport

Answer 1

3517 ems operations

Question 2

Who is responsible for:

1. Contacting the receiving facility as requested by the helicopter crew
2. Providing an appropriate and timely patient report to the receiving facility

Answer 2

The Lieutenant/Paramedic or In-charge Paramedic

Question 3

The Landing Zone Supervisor shall be responsible for?

Answer 3

1. Establishing and maintaining communication with the Fire 
Communications Center (FCC) and the Airlift NW helicopter until the operation is completed 
2. Set up the landing zone in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document 
3. Assess and maintain the safety of the landing zone

Question 4

Define

Designated Landing Zone

Answer 4

An established site for helicopters to land that meets specific criteria and is pre-approved by qualified personnel.

Question 5

Define
Landing Zone (LZ)

Answer 5

A site for loading and unloading patient from a helicopter.

Question 6

Define

Non-designated Landing Zone.

Answer 6

A site established according to the specifics of an incident that meets all the designated landing zone criteria and is approved by
the Incident Commander.

Question 7

Define

Positive contact.

Answer 7

Direct radio communications and/or hand signals between the helicopter pilot and landing zone personnel prior to landing.

Question 8

Prior to airlift transport TFD personnel shall?

Answer 8

a. Package all trauma patients with a long backboard (LBB), cervical
collar and head bed before transport
b. Decontaminate all patients exposed to hazardous materials prior to loading on a helicopter

Question 9

Airlift NW personnel will NOT

Answer 9

a. Land the helicopter without first making positive contact with ground unit(s)
b. Take riders

Question 10

Patient assessment for air transport also shall take the following into consideration:

Answer 10

a. Patient height and weight, particularly those who weigh more than 300 pounds and/or whose height is greater than 6 feet
b. Equipment used (e.g., traction splint)
c. Exposure to hazardous materials that could affect the pilot and crew

Question 11

If Airlift NW is not able to respond, the Incident Commander shall

Answer 11

request dispatch of the most rapid ground transport.

Question 12

LZ Supervisor shall notify FCC of the following actions

Answer 12

a. Helicopter contact established
b. Helicopter touchdown
c. Patient transfer complete
d. Helicopter departure
e. Scene and landing zone secure

Question 13

If the Incident Commander chooses to use a non-designated landing zone it must meet the following criteria

Answer 13

a. 15’ x 15’ landing gear touchdown area
b. 60’ x 60’ for daytime landing or 100’ x 100’ for nighttime landing
c. Clear of obstructions and overhead wires
d. Less than 10 degrees of slope
e. Free of loose debris, dust, sand, etc.

Question 14

In addition, the Incident Commander shall take the following into
consideration when choosing to use a non-designated landing zone

Answer 14

a. Weather
b. Activities (e.g., sports events)
c. Wind direction (helicopters take off and land into the wind)
d. Access (e.g., arterials, locked gates)

Question 15

For non essential personnel the LZ Supervisor shall maintain perimeter of

Answer 15

Maintain a 200’ perimeter for non-essential personnel

Question 16

For essential personnel the LZ supervisor shall maintain a perimeter of?

Answer 16

Maintain a 100’ perimeter for essential personnel

Question 17

Mark the outer boundaries of the landing zone with?

Answer 17

orange cones

Question 18

LZ supervisor shall Ensure the landing zone is properly lite by?

Answer 18

i. Red rig lights adjacent to the landing zone to assist pilot in locating it
ii. Flashlights under cones at nights to illuminate four corners and wind direction
iii. All white lights (e.g., headlights) turned OFF during landing and takeoff
iv. No spotlights on overhead hazards
v. No white strobes lights or flashes

Question 19

Who is responsible for maintaining this document.

Answer 19

Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services

Question 20

In the Landing Zone TFD personnel shall?

Answer 20

a. Wait for rotor blades to stop
b. Wait for helicopter crew to signal for approach
c. If directed to approach, do so at a 45° angle from the nose of the helicopter while maintaining eye contact with the pilot
d. Approach and depart from the downhill side of the helicopter

Question 21

After the helicopter departs, LZ Supervisor shall

Answer 21

a. Maintain a secure landing zone with all personnel and emergency
equipment for five (5) minutes, if possible.
i. Stay on the designated radio frequency during this time.