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Erlanger Hospital Services

LIFE FORCE

 
 

Introduction and History

LIFE FORCE is an advanced life support air transport service designed to work with area hospitals and EMS agencies. It’s mission is to expedite the availability of advanced life support and definitive care by air transport of the critically ill or injured patient to a Level One Trauma Center.

An air ambulance was first proposed in the Chattanooga area in 1975. While hospital officials agreed that a helicopter service would be a good idea, it was not until December 1988, that Erlanger Medical Center actually began the LIFE FORCE program. Since that time, LIFE FORCE has steadily grown in popularity and service area. The LIFE FORCE program exceeded business plan forecasts by more than fifty percent during the first year of operations.

LIFE FORCE has filled a significant need in this region’s EMS team. LIFE FORCE has been an invaluable tool for outlying areas with smaller hospitals and localized EMS and Rescue personnel.

LIFE FORCE MISSION

Through service excellence and innovation, we provide safe, comprehensive, effective and compassionate patient care, while delivering superior customer service.

MISSION CAPABILITY

By aircraft configuration and design, LIFE FORCE can be of service to critical patients who may have multiple system trauma, head and spinal cord injuries, severe burns, motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, traumatic amputations, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, critically ill children, disasters and hospital to hospital transports. LIFE FORCE can carry two (2) critical patients without any aircraft reconfiguration. LIFE FORCE may also be utilized in search and rescue missions in some situations.

COVERAGE AREA

With the addition of LIFE FORCE 2 in Sparta, Tennessee and LIFE FORCE 3 in Calhoun, Georgia, LIFE FORCE was able to expand coverage to areas including Eastern and Middle Tennessee, North Georgia, North Alabama, and parts of the extreme Western North Carolina region. The average flight service area is approximately a 75 mile radius of each base, due to the unique situation and special patient needs. On occasion, LIFE FORCE has flown as far as 150 miles to get a patient.

WHEN TO CALL FOR AIR TRANSPORT

The decision to call for air medical transport is a medical decision based not only on the patient’s condition, but also to include the accessibility of the accident site or hospital facilities, the time saved verses ground transport, the patient’s exposure time to the transport environment and level of expertise.

HOW TO ACTIVATE LIFE FORCE

Locally, LIFE FORCE can be accessed by phone (423) 778-5433, or our Watts number is (800) 523-6723. Regionally, we can also be reached by radio on the following frequencies:
• Tennessee State EMS - 155.205 MHz Ambulance to Hospital (HEAR) - 155.340MHz Trauma Control - 155.280MHz

WHO MAY ACTIVATE LIFE FORCE

Those authorized to request LIFE FORCE include:
• Physicians
• Nurses
• EMS agencies
• Fire agencies
• Rescue agencies
• Law enforcement agencies
• Industrial Safety / Medical Personnel
• Park Rangers
• Other Government Agencies

INFORMATION NEEDED WHEN REQUESTING LIFE FORCE

When requesting LIFE FORCE, the caller should be prepared to provide the following essential information to the Communications Coordinator.
• Name / agency of caller
• Callback number
• Nature of emergency
• Number of patients (if known)
• Exact location
• Radio frequency and call sign of LZ command
• Helpful Information:
• Highway name/number, nearest crossroads
• Nearest Community / City
• Terrain Reference
• Landmarks, such as:
- Churches
- Water towers
- Golf courses
- Radio towers
- Schools
- Railroad tracks
- Ponds, creeks, etc
- GPS Coordinates if available

LANDING ZONE CRITERIA

Landing zone must be 100’X100’ during the day, 125’X125’ at night Must be free of obstacles, hazards and debris Site should be firm, avoiding slopes greater than 5 degrees If at all possible, soft sand of dirt landing sites should be wet down while LIFE FORCE is enroute.

When the LZ Commander has a visual contact on the aircraft, they should give their location related to clock position. A proper guide to use is in what relation your position is to the inbound aircraft.

LIFE FORCE LANDING ZONE PROCEDURE

The following is a list of procedures and responsibilities of the "LZ Commander" that is taken from material provided to support agencies during a "Scene Team Training Class" conducted by LIFE FORCE personnel. If your agency is within LIFE FORCE’s normal response area and would like to schedule this type of training, contact 800-523-6723 or click here for an Educational Event Registration Form.

Step 1: Once LZ Command has been assigned, the LZ Commander (LZC) will go to the scene of the incident. If no appropriate LZ is found, then begin searching from incident being center point, outward.

KEEP LZ’S AS CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL SCENE AS POSSIBLE

Step 2: Once an appropriate area has been located, identify the center of the planned touch down area and verify that it is safe for landing the helicopter.

ASSIGN PERSONNEL TO THEIR LZ POSITIONS NOW

Step 3: Determine wind direction and estimated speed. Identify all obstacles.

Step 4: Mark the landing zone (LZ) with the appropriate equipment.

Step 5: Walk the entire outer perimeter of the LZ. Make sure all debris is either removed or secured. Mark all obstacles to allow easy identification from the air.

Step 6: Inspect the inner area of the LZ by walking in a similar manner as in Step 5 until you cover the entire area. Remove all loose debris.

Step 7: From the center of the LZ, survey the entire area. Look first for any ground level obstacles which may have been overlooked and secure them. Next, beginning at ground level and slowly looking upwards, rotate yourself 360 degrees and note all elevated obstacles/hazards (wires, power poles, trees, etc.).

Step 8: Move to the outer perimeter, with your back to the wind and face the center of the LZ, check for obstacles once more, prepare for helicopter arrival.

ALL PERSONNEL INVOLVED WITH LZ SECURITY MUST BE PREPARED FOR HIGH WINDS AND NOISE. HELMETS MUST BE SECURED WITH CHIN STRAP AND BLAST SHIELD DOWN, TURN-OUT GEAR SECURED, COLLARS UP.

Step 9: Once LIFE FORCE calls for LZ Command, identify yourself and give location of the LZ in relation to the incident. Next give LZ brief (wind direction, speed and description of all obstacles/hazards). LIFE FORCE will acknowledge the information before turning into "short final."

Step 10: As the helicopter maneuvers into the LZ, watch for sudden appearances of undetected obstacles/hazards. If such factors threaten the aircraft or safety of the scene then give the ABORT instructions.

Step 11: Once the helicopter has landed, make sure you position yourself in front of the aircraft (12 o’clock) at 10-15 yards from the rotor disk.

Step 12: Make sure the tail rotor guard is in proper position at the rear of the helicopter (6 o’clock, 10-15 yards minimum from the tail rotor). If side guards are available, their respective positions at 9 and 3 o’clock, 10-15 yards from the rotor disk.

Step 13: The flight crew will exit the helicopter and make contact with you and obtain any details not relayed during LIFE FORCE response.

Step 14: Manage LZ activities. Do not allow anyone or any vehicle to rush or approach the helicopter without flight crew approval.

Step 15: Keeping eye contact with the pilot, give the "thumbs up" signal when loading is complete and all support personnel are clear of the primary LZ. This signal, coupled with internal communications with the aircraft crew members will allow the pilot to begin start up or take off procedures.

Step 16: Once the helicopter has cleared the LZ, make a quick overhaul of the area. Look for any equipment or medical supplies that may have been left behind.

Step 17: Dismantle LZ markers, reassign personnel. Close LZ.

The LZ Commander or their designee are requested to report any safety related concerns encountered during LZ operations to LIFE FORCE Communications.

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