Young N.C. Volunteers Get Close-Up Feel for Helicopter Operations

Jan. 30--The helicopter appeared in the distance. Seconds later, the medical flight team landed in a grassy spot on the backside of the Wilson County Rescue Squad building on Tarboro Street. Personnel awaited their arrival.

While this wasn't a real emergency situation, it gave students a chance to experience what it would be like if they were on a real trauma-related call where minutes count and lives are at stake.

"What we are teaching students today is the process of a medical helicopter landing," said Scott Suggs, chief of Wilson County Rescue Squad. "The helicopter landing is a very dangerous process. We want our people to be safe at the scene ... as well as the helicopter crew and the patient."

Several young volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical technicians participated in the rescue squad's helicopter operations class Saturday. This is one of 11 classes that make up the technical rescue program training offered there. That program consists of 120 total hours of instruction. That training includes not only helicopter landing scenarios, but water and vehicle rescues, ropes and rappelling and vehicle extrication.

Suggs said while the hospital has an established a landing pad for critically ill or injured patients, sometimes the helicopter must land on the scene of a wreck where a patient is trapped inside a vehicle.

That's why it's vital for emergency personnel on the ground to know exactly what to expect, how to stay safe and get the patient on their way to a trauma center, he said.

Eyes and Ears

WakeMed's Air Mobile One helicopter and crew explained to students how vital it is to be in constant communication on a scene. And the patient is loaded into the helicopter while the blades are spinning. It's also very loud. That's why a coordinated effort among all is important, Brian McEssy, flight paramedic, told students.

"It's really quick," he said.

And during the rush, emergency crews are so concerned about the patient that they aren't looking at their surroundings for their own safety. That's why Saturday's class and training were so important.

"I want to know where everybody is around my helicopter," said pilot Jack Duffey. Nurse Susan Hollowell, who is also a part of the WakeMed Mobile One crew, said the goal is "in as a group and out as a group."

And listening to each other during those moments is key.

"So that everybody stays safe," she added.

Hollowell said the more information they can receive while en route, the better. From patient status to potentially hazardous conditions when landing to what's nearby the landing area, including power lines and poles.

"You are our eyes and ears, especially at night," she told the students. "Give us everything you got."

Good Experience

Blake Lamm, 18, who was a part of Saturday's class, said he learned a lot.

"It's vital for us to tell them what is around the scene, the patient's condition and where a good opening spot is for landing," he said.

Lamm, of the Wilson County Rescue Squad, said he was inspired by it all.

"I would love to be a flight nurse," Lamm said.

He also said the training was great because ultimately it helps him help the people in his community during an emergency situation.

"And they know that if anything ever happens to them, we will be there and they will be safe," Lamm said.

Eighteen-year-old Fred Stancil peered inside the WakeMed Mobile One helicopter to get an up-close and personal view.

"This is very good training for me," said Stancil, who is an East Nash volunteer firefighter. "It's good experience on what to do and not to do on a scene."

He also said the training will help him in his future goals and that he may be interested in working on a medical flight crew as well.

Suggs said the class was a great way for students to gain experience.

"Our ultimate goal is that the critically injured patient gets the medical treatment they need at a trauma center and that all personnel involved are safe doing so in the process," he said.

(c)2017 The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.)