Ambulance, Law Enforcement & Fire Authorities

Utilization Guidelines for On-scene Requests

1. Meet the WREMS Trauma Transport Policy guidelines, and when helicopter transport will significantly reduce the arrival time at a trauma center.
2. The appropriate level of EMS care cannot generally be provided by the local EMS agency, but can be provided by the helicopter personnel.
3. Are in special circumstances including:
   • Mass casualty incidents
   • Equipment and/or personnel considerations
   • Safer, more effective transport
   • Facilitate rescue/extrication
   • Only if the patient has viable signs of life (a measurable blood pressure or pulse)

Helicopter services should be alerted to a "stand by" status by any dispatcher, EMS, fire, or police authority as soon as a potential need is identified. Requests should be made by an on-scene, pre-hospital care provider with the highest level of training; in the absence of EMS personnel, the decision will be made by the scene incident commander. Patient transport should not be delayed waiting for a helicopter unless directed by MC.

Setting Up a Safe Landing Site

A key component in safely transporting patients by helicopter is establishing a safe landing site. We request that the following guidelines be used:

Level area: 100 X 100 feet clear of obstructions surrounding the site, including wire, trees, vehicles, trash, and debris.

Surfaces: Hard packed snow surfaces are better than loose snow. The helicopter is capable of blowing a few inches of snow away, which may cause white outs. Plowed in winter is preferable, not close to snow banks, no dry sandy areas, gravel or salt, and not in muddy areas.

Mark the site: Mark the corners with red, blue, green, or yellow marking devices that are safe (60 ft. X 60 ft.). Mark the wind direction with a single marking device approximately 15 feet from the landing site on the side the wind is coming from.

• Do not use flares if there is a fire hazard.
• Do not use white lights. Headlights and camera flashes or lights will blind the pilot at night.
• Approach the aircraft only after signaled to do so by the crew. For your personal safety, approach only in the areas designated above.

Ground Safety Rules

1. Assign personnel for ground contact and tail rotor guard.
2. Keep personnel back 100 ft. and watch the perimeters of the landing site.
3. Protect yourself and the patient from rotor wash (flying debris).
4. Wear eye protection.
5. Do not approach the aircraft for any reason until you are instructed to do so by Mercy Flight personnel.
6. Never approach from the rear of any helicopter.
7. Do not assist with the doors of the helicopter unless you have been specifically trained to do so.
8. No smoking anywhere near the aircraft.
9. No running or vehicular motion in or near the landing site.
10. Tail rotor guard should move into position for patient loading or unloading only after directed to do so by the flight crew.

Landing Site Communications

Mercy Flight 1, 2, and 5 have the capability of utilizing any fire, EMS, or law enforcement agency frequency on Low Band VHF, High Band VHF, or UHF (25 Mhz - 500 Mhz).

• Portable radios should be held up to the ear if near the landing site.
• Warn the pilot about obstructions near the landing site.
• Ground contact is to notify the pilot whether the landing site is secure or not.

Ground crew safety training is available to all hospital, fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. To request a presentation, call (716) 626-4100 ext. 313 or e-mail >Crew Chief, Skip Yuhnke, EMT-P, with your name, company affiliation, and phone number.