STARS landing zone safety, communication, and coordination were hot topics at Vermilion’s fire hall on Feb. 12.
Nearly two dozen firefighters from across the County of Vermilion (CVR) rendezvoused with a STARS representative for training on this technical procedure.
“The STARS landing course is an important aspect of emergency services, especially in rural settings. STARS puts these informative courses on as a part of their outreach program. (It’s) for any of the frontline staff that may have to utilize their services in general,” stated CVR protective services operations officer Austin Armitage.
STARS provides real-life scenarios, videos, and slideshows as the basis for discussions on the roles and responsibilities of department personnel.
“This course is important because it gives first responders the knowledge in how to set up a landing zone and coordinate with the pilot,” noted Armitage.
It’s essential from the air ambulance’s perspective as well.
“When we respond to scene calls—such as landing on a highway or in a field—we rely on local fire departments to be part of the team. They set up the landing zone, ensure there are no obstacles, keep traffic clear. (They also) communicate with the pilots about any risks in the area,” said STARS flight director, Jason Arthur. “We also prioritize working with them, providing training from an aviation perspective to help them establish a safe landing zone.”
To that end, departments across the province receive these training sessions for free with the support of TCEnergy in Calgary.
CVR uses the air ambulance service a few times yearly for tough calls, making this training essential for team members.
Read More: STARS: Saving lives in Western Canada | Meridian Source
