Landing Zone Safety First Instructor Name OBJECTIVES Request

Landing Zone Safety First! Instructor Name

OBJECTIVES • • • Request Setting up the LZ Aircraft Safety Accidents

#1 GOAL: To avoid….

Landing Zone Safety • Number One Goal – Safety First • Vision Zero

Making the Call Location – Address – Intersections – Mile markers – Town Centers (heading and distance) - GPS coordinates

Helicopter Shopping If program A won’t accept the flight maybe program B will?

LZ Commander • LZ Commander – Scene Safety • Duration • Roads • By-standers – Communication • 5 minutes out • Landing Zone information • Radio contact at all times including while on ground until lift off & out of site. – Directions – Alternate LZ – This is a job from start to aircraft departed & out of sight

Landing Zone Guidelines At least 100’ x 100’ - 40 paces 100 feet Landing Zone Wind Direction Free of debris Marked with cones and/or lights Note hazards (e. g. wires, towers, trees, etc. )

Clock Method

Landing Zone Selection – Scene – Pre-Designated – Hospital Helipads

LZ Selection - Rotor Wash • Rotor Wash can be very strong secure trash, debris, bystanders, mailboxes, sheets on cots, doors on apparatus, hats

Landing Zone Selection • Scene – Shortens overall scene time – Allows the patient to get to definitive care faster – Flight crew can be an additional resource at the scene if needed

Landing Zone Selection • Predesignated LZ – Established prior to the accident – Maintained in a database at dispatch center – Includes GPS coordinates, hazards, & description – May be strategically placed around your community – May assist aircraft in finding the scene – Airports, Hospital Helipads, Schools, Fields, etc.

Predesignated LZ • Address: Geneva State Park 6412 Lake Road West Geneva, Ohio 44041 • Coordinates: N 41° 51. 15 W 080° 59. 08 • LZ Description: Large parking lot, south side of road. Creek tributary just West of LZ. Lake Erie is 200 yards north of LZ • Hazards: Wires on South side of road

Marking the LZ • Cones • Strobe lights • Emergency vehicles (Usually the first thing seen)

In the aircraft…. • Flight crew is taking ground contact information from dispatch center • Flight crew will attempt radio contact 5 minutes out (landing zone briefing)

Landing Zone Briefing • Direct the aircraft to LZ – Landmarks – Give directions by North/South/East/West – See/Hear the aircraft • Landing Zone Brief – Advise surface condition – Slope, soft ground, asphalt, snow, high grass, etc. • Gravel is a poor LZ surface – Perimeter Markings – Overhead Hazards (Power lines, light poles) – Any other aircraft

Sample LZ Briefing • Helicopter 5, this is Wayne Township LZ Command – • You will be landing in a baseball field, behind the high school, wide open flat grassy area. We have your LZ marked with five orange cones on their sides w/strobes, the fifth one marking the wind which is coming from the north. • Be advised there are power lines along the tree line to the north side of ball field, the east & west are wide open, and the school sits to the south. • You should also be aware there is a cell phone tower we can see about a mile to the east of this location, it is NOT lit. • Do you have any questions?

WIRES, Wires! Especially High Tension Wires

WIRES, Wires! Especially High Tension Wires You can sometimes see more from the ground Communicate!

Final Approach • Aircraft calls “on location/final/landing” • At least one orbit over the scene • Charged hose lines are optional • “Abort” if not safe

ABORT • If at anytime during the landing, you, as a first responder on the ground, see a hazard (wires, obstructions, towers, etc. ) that the helicopter is getting close to, or ANY dangerous situation developing, please immediately state “ABORT” on the radio. The pilot will immediately abort the landing and probably climb to get to a safe altitude to assess the situation

Snow or Dust • Take cover • Prolonged hovering is not abnormal • Anticipate losing visual contact with helicopter

Rotor Wash

HAZMAT Situations • Hazmat and Helicopters rule of Thumb • Increase distance 1/4 to 1 mile away depending on size & type. • Rotor wash can blow hazardous material over a large area. • Avoid setting up the LZ in low lying areas near the scene. • Avoid setting up a LZ down wind of an accident site. • Helicopter engine exhaust can ignite combustible gases. • Do not put contaminated items on board the helicopter. • Never assume its not a HAZMAT situation

On the ground…. • • • Perimeter guard Hot off load Patient access Aircraft remains running Keep vehicles >50’ from helicopter

Nighttime Approach No white lights directed into LZ Perimeter guard is very important Flashing red and blue lights are OK Night Vision Goggles (some programs are using)

Multiple Aircraft Scene Adequate room Communication is key

Safety First • Unloading – Do not approach helicopter! – Assist only when asked • Crew • Pilot – Approach at 90° – Watch loose articles of clothing

DO NOT APPROACH The aircraft when running – this means you!

Safety First • Transfer away from helicopter • Quick patient assessment – Physically – Mentally • Necessary procedures We know time is critical!

Safety First • Danger Areas – – Main rotor Tail rotor Exhaust Pitot tube Danger Caution Danger Rear Loading Side Loading

Safety First • Danger Areas – – Main rotor Tail rotor Exhaust Pitot tube Approach

Safety First • Danger Areas – – Main rotor Tail rotor Exhaust Pitot tube

Safety First • Danger Areas – Main rotor – Tail rotor – Exhaust – Pitot tube

Safety First • Loading Systems – Rear Loading – Side Loading

Safety First • Loading – Secure loose clothing • Especially ball caps / hats – Roadway – little help – Fields • Four corner carry • Move at direction of flight crew • One crew posted at tail • Day vs. Night

Rescuing the Rescuer What you should know about the helicopter as a 1 st responder to a crash

Rescuing the Rescuer First Things First – Scene Safety – Protect yourself and others – Wait for the AC to stop moving including rotor blades!

Rescuing the Rescuer In Case of a Fire – Jet A- Fuel (less flammable than gas) – Use foam suppression – Oxygen source on board (liquid O 2 tank, D tanks) – Small fire extinguishers on board