NJ Helicopter Landing Zone Safety Program

FLANDERS, NEW JERSEY – A helicopter arriving at an emergency scene to whisk away a patient whose life is on the line is one of the more dramatic moments in emergency services. The problem is that it can become rather hazardous. That’s why area firefighters and emergency medical personnel can learn how to work safely with medical helicopters at a training session sponsored by Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad No. 1 and hosted by the Atlantic Training Center on July 26th in Netcong.

“Helicopters add a special dimension to emergency medical transport in one of the nation’s most congested areas,” said Heather Detoro, Captain of the EMS Division of Flanders Fire/Rescue. “A person with life-threatening injuries can be at the trauma center in Morristown in just a few minutes, rather than the long time it can take fighting rush-hour traffic on our area highways. This class will help everyone decide when to call for a helicopter and how to work more smoothly with Atlantic Air One, NorthStar or any other aeromedical unit that responds.”

The class will be delivered by the flight crew of Atlantic Air One. The course gives an in-depth look at the safe operations of the CE-135 Eurocopter flown by Atlantic Air One. It also covers indications for air transport, fly-drive criteria, proper landing-zone etiquette and more. If available, attendees will get to see the Eurocopter at its home base.

EMTs will receive two elective CEUs for the class. Pre-registration is a must and there is limited availability. The class runs from 8:30 am to 11 am on Saturday, July 26th 2008 at the Atlantic Air One hanger on Love Lane in Netcong. It is open to all EMS, fire service and police personnel. More information and registration is available by calling the Atlantic Training Center at (908) 522-5395 or through the LMS system.

The program is part of the Flanders Fire/Rescue-Atlantic Training Center Saturday CEU classes, held the last Saturday of each month. August’s class will be about stroke awareness. For more information on the series, contact Flanders Fire/Rescue at (973) 584-7805.