BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance Helicopter ... BCEHS Landing Zon… · BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance Helicopter Landing Zone Safety Procedures Aviation Services

BC Emergency Health Services

Air Ambulance Helicopter

Landing Zone Safety Procedures

Aviation Services

BC Emergency Health Services, Provincial Programs

[email protected]

Version 1 – 08/29/2016

Introduction

The purpose of this briefing material is to provide first

responders and local communities with the basic

information necessary to assist in the selection, preparation

and safe operation of a temporary landing zone (LZ)

supporting BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) air

ambulance helicopters.

Please note that the final decision to operate from a landing

zone (LZ) rests with the pilot-in-command.

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Helicopter Air Ambulance - General

• A helicopter air ambulance will: – decrease transport time to definitive care

– provide critical care capabilities on-scene and

during transport

– provide support in multiple casualty incidents

• BCEHS has helicopter contracts with

two dedicated air ambulance

providers and numerous ad hoc

carriers in BC and Alberta

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BCEHS Dedicated Helicopter Air Ambulance Bell 412 – Kamloops

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BCEHS Dedicated Helicopter Air Ambulance Sikorsky S76 – Vancouver and Prince Rupert

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Objectives

• Requesting an aeromedical helicopter

• Role of the Landing Zone (LZ) Officer

• Selecting the Landing Zone (LZ)

• Hazard Identification

• Communicating with the aircraft

• Protecting the Landing Zone (LZ)

• Continuity of care – preparing the patient for transport

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Objectives








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Requesting an Air Ambulance

• For scene response (pre-hospital care)

– Call “9-1-1”

– Areas where “9-1-1” not available: Toll Free1.800.461.9911

– Cellphone / Satellite Phone / Outside BC 250.374.5937

• Calls to “9-1-1” will be triaged based on standardized

medical determinants. The BCEHS dispatch centre

will deploy the most appropriate resource. A road

ambulance may be assigned instead of an air

ambulance

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Information Required By BCEHS Dispatch from

First Responders at the Scene

• Scene / LZ location

• Latitude and Longitude in degrees and decimal minutes

(GPS coordinates)

– e.g. 47°26.767’ N 123°58.933’ W

• Cross streets (intersection)

• Closest city / town

• Street address of the location

• Well-known landmarks

• Warning of obstacles in the area that may present

hazards to an arriving helicopter

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Objectives








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Landing Zone Officer A Landing Zone officer should be appointed from the on scene

responders to take responsibility for landing zone selection and safety

duties. The Landing Zone officer should not be involved in scene

operations or patient care.

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Landing Zone Officer Duties • Coordinate activities with incident/scene command personnel

• Select an appropriate LZ

• Establish radio communications with the arriving helicopter on PEPCOORD 1

• Provide the flight crew with a briefing of the LZ and suggested flight approach path

• Brief wind direction, obstacles (wires, antennas), hazards (“if in doubt, point it out”)

• Liaise with fire department to anticipate fire suppression activities in the event of an

aircraft accident

• Conduct a LZ team briefing to ensure hazards have been identified, roles and

responsibilities clarified, and that landing/departure procedures are understood

• Ensure that all vehicles and non-essential personnel remain clear of the LZ safety

area during helicopter operations

• Advise the flight crew when the LZ is prepared and secured (“locked-down”)

• Maintain “lock-down” until relieved by the flight crew

• Ensure that ground personnel do not approach the helicopter until after the rotors

have stopped turning, the engines secured, and only when specifically requested to

approach by the flight crew or flight paramedics

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Objectives








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Landing Zone Selection - General

• The pilot-in-command has final authority over LZ suitability. During the

initial LZ reconnaissance, the flight crew may select a different landing

area

• Select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need for ground

transport that could prolong a patient’s pre-hospital time

• The LZ should be at least 50 paces (150 feet) away from the accident

or patient care location

• If practical, the LZ should be downwind of the scene unless a HAZMAT

incident is present. If the LZ must be located upwind of the scene, the

distance from the LZ to the accident site should be increased as much

as possible to avoid helicopter downwash creating a hazard to first

responders and compromising patient care

• If the LZ is dusty, ask the fire department to wet down the area to

prevent a zero visibility situation when the helicopter lands

• Fresh snow should be packed down to prevent whiteout conditions. If

this is not possible, warn the flight crew of loose or powder snow

conditions

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Approach / Departure Path

• The selected site for the LZ must have an approach and departure path

preferably into wind

• The approach and departure paths must be clear of obstacles including

trees, power and telephone lines, light stanchions, flag poles, and other

potential hazards

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Obstacles • To identify obstructions on the approach/departure path to the LZ, stand in the center

of the landing area and raise one arm up at a 45-degree angle

• Turn slowly through a complete circle and note any obstruction that appears above

the level of your raised arm

• Reference obstructions to the compass cardinal points (e.g. “Trees to the North and

East; lamp posts to the Northeast”)

45°

NORTH EAST WEST

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Landing Point Selection • The landing point and landing zone safety area form the LZ

• The landing point is the designated area within a landing zone on which the

helicopter will land (touchdown area)

• The landing point must be level (less than 10 degree slope in any direction)

• The landing point must be clear of obstacles

• Landing on an artificial turf sports field may cause damage to the infill

supporting the synthetic surface

• The landing point must be able to support the weight of the helicopter. Note

that the helicopter may be heavy enough to damage a septic field – The maximum weight of the BCEHS Sikorsky S76 and Bell 412 air ambulances is

approximately 12,000 pounds

– The maximum weight of a commonly chartered AS350 “A Star” (see below) is approximately

5,000 pounds

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Landing Zone Safety Area • The LZ safety area is an area surrounding the landing point (touchdown

area) that will permit the safe landing, takeoff, and manoeuvering of the

helicopter

• The LZ safety area should be:

– At least 40 x 40 paces (approximately 120 x 120 feet)

– Free of debris that may be propelled by the rotor downwash

– Firm and flat (less than 10 degree slope)

– Free of stumps, brush, posts, large rocks or ditches which may damage

the helicopter

– Located downwind of the scene unless the accident site involves

HAZMAT, in which case the LZ should be located upwind of scene

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Walk the LZ to look for hidden debris that may fly up in rotor wash.

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Landing Zone Identification • Identify and mark/delineate the LZ by one or more of the

following methods:

Day – Corral formed by emergency vehicles and/or obvious natural boundaries

– Weighted traffic cones placed at the corners and midpoints (if possible)

– Fluorescent paint may be used to mark the perimeter or a large ‘H’ placed in the

centre of the LZ. This is especially effective on snow covered surfaces

Night – Flashlights placed inside traffic cones / LED beacons / battery-powered “turbo

flares” at the corners and midpoints (if possible)

– Flight crew will generally request that strobes be turned off

– Vehicles with headlights on low beam pointed to cross at the centre of the LZ

may be used. The vehicle lights should be pointed into wind

– Use spotlights to mark obstacles and poles with wires

– Don’t shine lights directly at the helicopter

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Landing Zone Diagram

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Wind Wind

Helicopter

Approach

Path

Safety Zone

Landing Point

(touchdown area)

120 feet (40 paces)

75 feet

Objectives








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Identify Hazards to Personnel on the

Ground and in the Air

• Main rotor

• Tail rotor

• Rotor downwash

• Loose debris

• Obstructions

• Noise

• Vehicles and traffic

• Wind / Weather

• Personal Protective Equipment

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Hazard - Main Rotor • Never approach a helicopter when the rotors are turning

• Slow down, take your time and think before approaching

a helicopter

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Hazard - Tail Rotor

• Never approach a helicopter when the rotors are turning

• The tail rotor blades are almost invisible when spinning

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Hazard - Rotor Downwash

• Vehicle doors, windows and compartment doors should

be closed

• Rotor downwash is capable of reaching speeds of up to

150 km/hour

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Hazard - Loose Debris • Remove loose debris from the landing zone and surrounding area. This

includes barrier/scene tape

• Rotor downwash can lift loose debris and objects

• Debris picked up by the rotor wash can be ingested through an aircraft

engine intake causing an engine failure

Plywood

Empty Fuel Drums

Canopies

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Plastic shopping bags

Obstructions – Poles and Wires From the ground …

From the air…

Parking a vehicle under wires crossing the road very close to the LZ is

a good means of marking them for the flight crew

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Hazard - Noise • The noise from an arriving or departing helicopter can

startle livestock located near the LZ

• The helicopter engine and rotor noise will make

communications difficult

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Hazard – Vehicles and Traffic • When possible, emergency vehicles should be used to

create a physical barrier to block access to the LZ

• All traffic should be blocked in both directions during the

helicopter approach/departure, even on a divided

highway, as flight operations will distract drivers

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Wind / Weather • Remember – the helicopter will generally approach and

depart the LZ into wind

• The rotor downwash may cause blowing sand/snow

creating “whiteout” or reduced visibility conditions

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Safety First –

Use your Personal Protective Equipment

• Ensure that personal protective equipment is worn

during helicopter arrivals and departures

• This includes but is not limited to:

– Helmet or hard hat with chinstrap

– Reflective vest

– Safety glasses or face shield

– Hearing protection

– Jacket and pants to cover bare skin

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Objectives








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Communicating with the Aircraft

• Direct radio contact is best

• Provide dispatch with a radio frequency that the

helicopter can contact the Landing Zone Officer

• Ground to Air Communication;

– Identify yourself and confirm that the LZ is secure

– Communicate the LZ location using

North/South/East/West reference to the accident

scene or other landmarks

– Identify the type of surface (field/road/other)

– State what is marking the LZ

– Communicate the wind direction and speed

– Identify hazards in the area of the LZ (wires, poles,

trees or hazardous materials using

North/South/East/West reference to the LZ)

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Communicating with the Aircraft

• When you have the helicopter in

sight, use clock face based

orientation terms to direct the

helicopter

• The nose of the helicopter is always

at 12 o’clock

• Your location is always referenced

from the helicopter’s 12 o’clock

position

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Direct the Helicopter

“BC Air Ambulance, I’m at your ten o’clock.

You need to turn left.”

“STARS, I’m at your two o’clock.

You need to turn right.”

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Final Approach

• Once the aircraft is on final approach the LZ Officer should vacate

the immediate area

• Move to a safe vantage point to watch for hazards

• Limit communication to the flight crew during final approach

• If you see a hazard when the helicopter is on final approach state

“Abort Landing” over the radio or extend both arms over your head

and wave them in a crossing motion

• Remember, the pilot-in-command has ultimate responsibility for

selecting the LZ

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Objectives








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LZ Protection After Landing • Be aware of vehicles or pedestrians approaching the LZ

whenever the rotor is turning. The flight crew cannot see

vehicles or personnel approaching from the rear of the

aircraft

• Prevent personnel from approaching the helicopter until

after receiving a definite “all clear” signal from the flight

crew

• Stay outside the rotor perimeter and never approach the

aircraft when the rotors are turning

• Even after shutdown, control/guide vehicle operation

near the aircraft.

• Assign a tail rotor guard if possible

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LZ Protection During Take Off

• After the aircraft is closed up and starting

engines:

– Be observant for open doors, open access covers, or

straps hanging out from the helicopter

– Keep a radio in hand to advise the flight crew of any

new hazards that appear

– Keep radio channel open until aircraft is out of sight

– Keep LZ clear of personnel and equipment until the

aircraft is out of sight in case it needs to return to the

LZ at short notice

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Hard Landing Procedures

• In case of a helicopter accident - keep yourself, other

first responders and bystanders safe

• Protect yourself and others from flying debris

• Do not approach the aircraft until all moving parts have

come to a complete stop

• Call for additional assistance as needed

– Additional fire unit(s)

– Additional medical unit(s)

– Additional air ambulance resources

• Advise BCEHS Dispatch of the incident

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Objectives








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Continuity of Care

• The flight paramedics will seek out the primary ground

caregiver of the patient

• Provide a brief yet concise report of the patient condition

• If possible, provide a copy of the patient’s identification

and vital signs

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Loading the Patient

• You may be asked to assist the paramedics with loading the patient

• Follow flight paramedic and flight crew directions

• Some helicopters are side-loading; some are rear-loading

• Patients should not be loaded while the helicopter rotors are turning

as the noisy environment can be disorienting and make

communications difficult

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Safe LZ Operations are a Team Effort

Your assistance on the ground establishing a safe

helicopter landing zone is critical to the success of our

collective air medical evacuation mission

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For more information please contact the

BCEHS Aviation Services team at:

[email protected]

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BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance Helicopter ... BCEHS Landing Zon… · BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance Helicopter Landing Zone Safety Procedures Aviation Services