Transcript Helicopter Safety

Helicopter Safety for
Field Operations
A presentation for
San Diego County RACES
Craig Williams W6CAW, S45
Edited by Cal Fire, Battalion Chief John François
Helicopter Rescue Checklist, Before you Call
Before you consider using a helicopter for a rescue:
• Have we cross-trained with this helicopter? Does it have the
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equipment and training to meet the task we are asking of it?
Do we have good communications with the helicopter crew?
Do I have a good landing zone, a designated landing zone
coordinator and safety officer? Are we prepared at the scene to
rescue the crew in the event of a crash?
Is the weather adequate or is it deteriorating? (Minimums en route
and at the scene are 1/2 mile horizontal and a 500 foot ceiling.)
Is there a safer way for the rescue to be effected on the ground?
Is this a rescue or body recovery?
Am I doing this to keep ground rescuers from having to exert
themselves?
Is the patient stable or deteriorating?
Is this call being driven by an increasing sense of urgency?
Choosing a Landing Zone (LZ)
• Try to select an LZ that is adjacent to the scene to avoid the need for
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ground transport that could prolong a patient’s pre-hospital time.
Select a landing zone that will allow for an angled approach from at least
one direction. This approach and departure path should be clear of towers,
poles, wires, trees, signs, and other obstructions.
Touchdown Area (LZ)
• Select a touchdown area that is as
flat as possible. The slope should
not be more than ten (10) degrees.
• Ensure the touchdown surface is
firm. Parking lots, roads, sport
fields, and other locations are most
desirable.
• The size of the landing zone during
the day should be 75’X75’. The size
of the landing zone during the night
should be 100’X100’.
– The pilot has the final
say on the selection of
the LZ.
• Ensure the touchdown area is free
of debris and obstructions. Wet the
LZ if it is dusty or has loose gravel.
• Keep spectators and vehicles away
from the landing zone.
Fire equipment
• In the Fire Service, for
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normal operations,
SCBA and a charged
attack line are required
during Copter landings
Follow your
organizations
SOP’S/Guidelines
The Landing Zone Officer
• Designate a landing officer ( Ground Contact ) to communicate with the
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helicopter crew as soon as they are dispatched.
Notify the emergency dispatch center of the frequency you intend to
communicate on and the Tactical Call of the Ground contact. Frequencies
used in the San Diego area are:
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Medical, 800 Med Air
Fire, 800 Fire air
Law Enforcement, 800 Law Air
CDF, CDF Air to Ground 151.220
USFS, USFS Air to Ground 170.000
Fall Back, OES White 3, 154.295 Mhz
• Provide the helicopter crew with a description of:
– The landing zone. Include the size of the landing zone, how it is marked, a list of
any nearby obstructions.
– Any other air traffic in the area, the wind direction and speed, any other weather
conditions that may effect safe air operations.
– What you expect them to do. Patient transport, rescue, search.
– If a patient transport give a medical size up of the patient/s.
• Notify the helicopter crew when you have them in sight. Immediately notify
the crew if any last minute hazards are detected or if an unsafe condition
develops.
Communicating with the
Aircraft
12:00
• When directing the
Helicopter to your
location use the clock
method based on the
NOSE OF THE
AIRCRAFT
• Never base the
clock code on
YOUR position
9:00
3:00
6:00
Land in front of the truck…….
Which Truck?
Ground Personnel Safety
It gets dusty when a helicopter lands.
Ground Personnel Safety
Really dusty!.
Ground Personnel Safety
Even when you think it shouldn’t be!.
Overall Safety
• If you have a helmet, secure the chin strap. No other hats should be
worn, and nothing loose on your body.
• Cover up, head to toe. Wear full coverage goggles and gloves.
• Do not approach the helicopter until motioned to do so by a
crewmember.
• Always walk, never run, around a helicopter. If the landing zone is
uneven, never approach or depart from the uphill side. Always use
the downhill side where you are in the pilot's view.
• Do not touch anything on the helicopter unless directed to do so by
a crew member.
• Remain clear of the tail rotor and main rotor at all times.
• At night. Do not flash any bright lights at the aircraft.
– Headlights on low beam, away from the LZ.
– Code lights OFF after the helicopter has the LZ identified.
Helicopter Loading
Only approach
the helicopter,
from the front,
when
motioned to do
so by the pilot
or
crewmember
Danger
Area
DUCK!
Watch your toes!
Stand on top of the skid not next to it.
Lift-Off and Departure
• The LZ coordinator ( Ground Contact ) will notify
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the pilot when the landing zone is clear of all
ground personnel.
Again check for other air traffic in the area and
notify the helicopter the area is clear.
Maintain all protective devices against flying
debris.
Notify your dispatch that the helicopter has lifted
off and if possible their destination.
If at all possible, try to maintain a secure
landing zone with all personnel and emergency
equipment for 5 minutes after the helicopter
departs. If an in-flight emergency develops, this
will allow the pilot to return safely to a secure
landing zone.
Helicopters you will see in San Diego County.
QUESTIONS?