You know the helpless feeling you get when you realize a glass is about to spill and there’s nothing you can do about it?
That dreadful moment when time stands still and all you can do is watch as it happens? You know what’s coming, but you’re completely powerless to stop it.
Well, that feeling, is kind of what it feels like to land a multi-million dollar helicopter at the scene of an accident and discover everything is not as it should be inside the landing zone.
There’s a lot going on, and there’s a lot that needs to happen safely and quickly. And it only takes a whiff of that “uneasy feeling” to change the plan abruptly. What I mean is – if everything isn’t as it should be inside the landing zone, the plan can and should quickly change from (for example) a proposed hot on-load, to a full engine shutdown and cold on-load.
I learned early in my flying career to act quickly and shut the engines down if everything wasn’t exactly as briefed, or if something just didn’t feel right. I also learned early in my career to brief my crew to do the same.
I trusted my crews and I didn’t need immediate feedback about why they were requesting engine shutdown. If I got a visual “cut the engines” signal, or a call on the radio requesting the same, I just did it. No further explanation required. It’s easy and much safer to talk about the “why” after the fact. And that’s exactly how we briefed, practiced, and flew cases.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Pilots have a love/hate relationship with firefighters. But I’m happy to say.. we mostly love them.
Why do EMS pilots love firefighters?
EMS pilots love firefighters because they’re the guys and gals who reach across the table and steady your glass before it spills.
The fire chief in particular is the guy who fixes your helicopter landing zone before the “uneasy feeling monster” shows its ugly head. That’s why EMS pilots love firefighters.
This article is one part training and one part “thank you” to all firefighters and landing zone coordinators.
How To Steady The Glass
The falling glass analogy is of course a small-scale version of what it really feels like when everything isn’t as it should be inside a helicopter landing zone. The truth is, as an EMS pilot, you’re keenly aware of many proverbial glasses that could easily tip over. And reality is that you’re responsible for them all. At times, it can be unsettling. And there are really only two things that make it better:
1. The First Thing is Time
2. The Second Thing is A Skilled Landing Zone Coordinator
Flight crews routinely land at or near the scene of automobile accidents. The landing zone is impromptu and the setup is quick. The ground and flight crews make it look easy. But don’t be fooled by how easy it looks. It takes coordination and communication across the entire Flight Safety Net team to make everything go smoothly.
When Good Landing Zones Go Bad
So what do you do when good landing zones start to go bad?
Simple. Re-focus on teamwork and communication.
From the EMT who arrives first on scene, to the dispatcher who takes the call, the flight communication specialist who talks directly to the flight crews, the firefighters who setup the landing zone, and the flight crews who retrieve the patient on scene. Everyone plays their part.
Every landing zone is different. Each has its own set of hazards. There’s no “one size fits all” solution to safely manage every situation. You have to be willing to work as a team and trust both your flight and ground crews.
Seasoned flight and ground crews know it only takes a second for things to go bad. One moment of inattention can quickly spiral out of control.
One spectator slipping past landing zone security and deciding to run toward a helicopter with spinning rotors . . . can obviously change the entire scene very quickly.
Plan for Success
How do you plan for successful landing zones?
At Flight Safety Network we teach the S.W.O.R.D. technique to both flight and ground crews. You can read more about the S.W.O.R.D. technique here.
And here are three more ways to keep your medical helicopter landing zone safe and strengthen the bond between air and ground crews (and pilots and fire chiefs):
1.) Always check to make sure athletic nets/bases/cones are secure.
2.) Always give a landing zone report from the actual landing zone itself (never enroute).
3.) Always brief your team ahead of time. Every team member should know what to do before the helicopter lands.
There’s nothing mysterious or magical about safe medical helicopter landing zones.
Teamwork, common sense, and situational awareness are keys to success. And of course the most important factor is always the people.
There you have it!
Why EMS pilots love firefighters and a couple more tools for your air medical toolkit.
Some definitive ways to keep the landing zone “uneasy-feeling monster” away.
And finally, one last opportunity for me to personally thank all the landing zone coordinators who kept me safe flying EMS helicopters. On behalf of all EMS pilots, we truly appreciate the work you do.
Do you have any medical helicopter landing zone tips? Share them in the comments section.
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15 replies to "Why EMS Pilots Love Firefighters"
Is the cover photo of Samaritan of Parkview?
Tina,
The cover photo for this article is a stock photo. But I definitely agree the color of aircraft makes it look like Samaritan.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Because firefighters are not trying to do anything but help when it comes to EMS helicopters?
Jennifer,
You’re right! That is definitely a reason “Why EMS Pilots Love Firefighters.” Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
EMS Pilots do love Firefighters!
Doug,
Agreed. Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Ted David Owin Jr. read this article. It will help you and your fire department!
Charles,
Thanks for sharing the information and article.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
I it the other way around hearing the roters coming when we are packaging a pt for your transport knowing this guy ain’t got a chance with long ground transport time….thanks from the ground troops you guys rock!
David,
Thanks for the kind words and your support of EMS Flight Safety Network! We’re glad you’re on the team!
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Some of us fly and do firefighting both.
Steve,
Awesome! Good on you.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
This is a great read and every firefighter and emt should read this
Micah,
Thanks for the endorsement. We appreciate it and you!
Clear Skies & Tailwinds