A. Helicopters are often called upon to bring in medical resources and move injured people during disaster and emergencies.
B. While helicopters can land in small areas, the area needs to be clear of obstructions and ground personnel need to be aware of the dangers the helicopter can present during landing, on ground, and during take off.
II. MISSION
To provide guidance for the safe operation of helicopters in an emergency.
III. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
The designated LZ officer will be in sole charge of Helicopter Landing Zone (LZ). The safety officer will insure all necessary safety precautions are observed.
IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
A. The following guidelines will be followed in setting up an LZ.
1. The minimum area necessary for landing is a 100 feet by 100 feet square.
2. The LZ should be reasonably level, flat, and free of major obstructions and debris and have a fairly hard surface (sand and fine, loose gravel should be avoided because not only will the helicopter sink into loose surfaces, but the loose material could be scattered violently, causing extensive damage).
3. Special attention should be given to overhead obstacle, particularly wires, tree limbs, light poles and radio antennas.
4. Ideally the LZ should be marked with flares or lightsticks at each corner (Note: extreme care should be take that the flares are not blown away during the helicopters approach). Lay traffic cones on their sides pointing to center of LZ, or use an LZ kit strobes(yellow preferred). You may mark an LZ with a florescent paint "X", or use yellow rectangular LZ sandbag markers.
5. If landing the helicopter on a highway, fire apparatus should block traffic in both directions with firefighters posted on either end to ensure motorists do not attempt to go around the fire vehicles.
6. If operating under night conditions, please ensure all headlights and strobes on emergency vehicles used for the LZ are off if they face the LZ. You may use incandescent or halogen emergency lights. Use vehicle movable spotlights to illuminate power lines when possible. Do no shine flashlights at the helicopter.
B. Radio LZ Instructions should include:
1. Obsticles at each cardinal direction.
2. Any ground conditions or obsticles.
3. Wind direction on the ground if possible.
4. Specific advisory that the LZ is clear and ready for landing.
5. Sample LZ instruction: "LZ is an open field 150X200 with the LZ marked by yellow strobes. The LZ is located next to Main Street just south of Jefferson. Obsticles to the east and west are trees, with power lines on the north side located over the fire truck. The south is clear an additional 200 feet to a private residence. The residence has an 80 foot TV antenna in the back yard. The LZ is clear and you are clear to land. Winds on the ground are negligible."
C. The following guidelines will be followed in operating an LZ:
1. Never approach the helicopter unless signaled to do so by the pilot.
2. No support personnel (fire, EMS, etc.) should enter the LZ until all helicopter blades have come to a complete stop. Certain air ambulances will load patients while the aircraft is still hot (the crafts blades are still turning). This operation is totally at the discretion of the helicopter pilot and the crew.
