BONNERS FERRY — Life Flight Network has been saving lives in Boundary County, providing ICU-level care and life saving transport, whether it is from hospital to hospital, or the ability to reach patients in remote locations.

For the best possible outcome for a patient, Life Flight counts on the local agencies to aid in finding and creating the best landing zone, and in getting the patient safely to and aboard one of their helicopters.

On June 16, local firefighters had the opportunity to work with a Life Flight helicopter and crew for a live training session. Some of the training included surveying the land and surrounding terrain for a safe landing zone, and how best to convey dangers to the crew as they approached to land.

Several Hall Mountain Firefighters, and one firefighter from North Bench Fire, attended the training in Porthill, right next to the Canadian Border.

“They are extremely personable and professional,” said Hall Mountain Volunteer Firefighter Marty Steinhagen about the Life Flight crew. “Very effective in training those who are new to this and providing additional training to those who have been through it before.”

The firefighters learned that if wind speeds are less than 10 miles per hour, the pilots prefer to land according to clear surroundings and escape routes, instead of landing facing into the winds. They also learned that they need someone to hold the patient’s blanket to ensure that it does not get drawn up into the rotating blades when loading in a running helicopter.

These were all important lessons that expedite the time it takes for a patient to receive help, as well as for the safety of the crews, both on the helicopter and on the ground. Live training takes time and effort, but it is often the most effective way to learn, and the firefighters welcomed the chance to work directly with Life Flight.

For more information about Life Flight Network: www.lifeflight.org

For those interested, Life Flight Network is currently running a 40th Anniversary Special for new members. More information can be found on their website.