Thedastar landing at hospitals.

[djeplett]

I often hear Thedastar helicopter heading for a hospital and requesting the landing zone be "secured". I'm wondering what the emergency personnel need to do to secure the landing zone at the hospital. I can imagine what needs to be done at the scene of an accident, but I don't know what would need to be done at the hospital prior to the helo's arrival.

The reason why I'm asking is because I often hear page outs for fire department or police department personnel to secure the landing zone and often no one shows up on the first page. It would make more sense to me to have the hospital security be available to secure the sight rather than page out people to come and do it... and then the logical question must be asked, what even needs to be done? Couldn't the hospital nurses simply go outside and make sure no one is standing in the "H"? Or am I way off base?

 

[triryche]

Some hospitals dont have official landing pads thus parking lots have to be cleared and proper lighting turned on by hospital personnel. Those hospitals with landing pads, have to make sure nothing is in the way and no people are on the pad thus "securing the landing". In some cities, police respond to ground landing pads at hospitals to provide security and/or traffic protection. A pretty good sized area must be kept clear around helo landings for safety purposes.

 

[thecomputerguru]

Aside from moving vehicles, they are also looking for debris which tend to be very detrimental to jet engines. Helo Rotors will suck up just about anything

 

[RevGary]

...in addition, most large trauma centers do have a rooftop helipad. Those areas are 'secured' by visual inspection for any workers or hospital personnel who may be in the area and unaware of an inbound flight as well as debris as mentioned earlier. There are FAA guidelines as to protocols in landing at trauma centers and only certain trained personnel are allowed to secure the heliport. There is a written log that must be checked off and signed indicating that the site is clear before landing.

If a 'closest emergency room' does not have a helipad, not only is an LZ (landing zone) set up, but overhead wires, trees, power poles, light standards and other similar obstructions are noted and brought to the attention of the pilot well before landing. Usually, one or two officers are assigned to that response duty on each shift and are trained in what to look for and how to properly convey that info to the helo pilot. All response cruisers are equipped with a countywide EMS channel that they can use to communicate directly with the helo.

 

[djeplett]

Usually, one or two officers are assigned to that response duty on each shift and are trained in what to look for and how to properly convey that info to the helo pilot.

Where I've heard problems is when law enforcement is not the one paged. I've heard multiple pages from a local hospital to volunteer firefighters assigned to securing the landing zone, and it's been very often that it takes more than a couple pages to get someone there. Seems to me it would be easier to just have someone at the hospital responsible for the securing in that case. Especially when the helo is minutes out. How is a volunteer fireman/emt supposed to get up in the middle of the night and rush down in time? Makes you wonder how often nobody shows up and the helo just lands anyway.

Aside from moving vehicles, they are also looking for debris which tend to be very detrimental to jet engines. Helo Rotors will suck up just about anything

Duh. I hadn't even thought about that! I was thinking the biggest danger would be people or cars parked in the area. Sometimes it's the most obvious that you don't think of.