If you thought you saw or heard a helicopter in the area of GA HWY 219 and Lick Skillet Rd. Saturday February 18, 2006, you did. At approximately 10:00 AM, a Bell 206 LongRanger operated by LifeSaver Air Medical Services out of Auburn, AL flew in and landed in a vacant field across from Antioch V.F.D. Station 1.  Thankfully, this time it was only a training flight.

Antioch V.F.D. coordinated and hosted a training class specific to Harris County Emergency Services personnel. This training was designed to allow the some 50 firefighters and emergency medical personnel in attendance to become familiar with the services provided by LifeSaver, in addition to how to properly request their services in an emergency situation. Most importantly, attendees learned the protocols in securing an appropriate landing zone for incoming aircraft to ensure a safe and secure landing as well as a timely departure to the designated medical facility.

LifeSaver is designed to transport critically injured and ill patients from anywhere within 150 miles of their bases, located in Birmingham, Anniston, and Auburn, AL. These may include situations such as cardiac patients, intubated medical patients, gunshot wounds or stabbings, head injuries, unconscious victims, vehicle ejections and vehicle extrications. Each aircraft can transport one or two patients with a highly skilled staff consisting of a registered nurse, paramedic and experienced pilot.

For more information on LifeSaver Air Medical Services, visit online at www.alabamalifesaver.net.