24-Hour ComCenter

A physician, nurse or member of an authorized public safety agency may request emergency air medical services by calling 1-800-426-2430 (from Seattle 206-329-2569).

When Requesting Airlift Northwest

Notify 24-Hour ComCenter of need for helicopter

• Notify if hazardous materials are involved

Notify 24-Hour ComCenter of planned destination hospital

Airlift Northwest and our aviation partners, Air Methods Corporation, recommend the following guidelines when establishing a landing zone:

Select LZ location at or near incident site

• 15' X 15' landing gear touchdown area
• 100' X 100' day or night
• Clear of obstructions / overhead wires
• Less than 10 degrees slope
• Roadway, school, parking lot, or field
• If very rural, consider GPS locator

Select ground contact

• If not known at time of call, "LZ Command" will be used

Coordinate frequency for LZ command

• 800 MHz-State Ops 1 preferred (if available) or
• VHF-TAC frequency preferred — primary frequency may be too busy

What the Airlift Northwest 24-Hour ComCenter Needs To Know For Pre-Hospital Calls (Six Key Questions):

1. Where is the landing zone?
   Is it a non-designated or designated landing zone? A school, parking lot, roadway intersection? This information, along with map page coordinates and GPS coordinates, if available, helps the pilot locate the scene and land safely.
   
2. Who is the ground contact?
   Ground contact is used for direct two-way communication with the pilot and the landing zone coordinator, such as an aide unit or engine company. Preferably, the ground contact should be on site, coordinating the landing zone.
   
3. What radio frequency can Airlift Northwest use for ground contact?
   The pilot will dial in the established radio frequency as the aircraft nears the landing zone. It is important for requestors to know their frequency numbers and if there is a Private Line (PL) associated with it. If agencies operate in the field with a PL and the pilot does not have that PL, the pilot will not be able to communicate with the landing zone coordinator.
   
4. What is the response type?
   The 24-Hour ComCenter needs only a brief description of the patient and situation for a pre-hospital transport. "Adult trauma… pediatric near drowning… high-risk OB… MVA… gunshot wound" provides sufficient information for dispatch — and gives Airlift Northwest and the receiving facility an idea of what to expect and prepare for. Do they need to call in a neurosurgeon, a cardiologist, a neonatologist?
   
5. Who is the receiving hospital?
   The pre-hospital provider, in conjunction with his or her medical control, should determine the appropriate receiving hospital. Wherever the patient is going, the 24-Hour ComCenter needs to know as soon as possible so the receiving hospital will have sufficient and specialized staff on site, the hospital’s landing pad will be ready to receive the helicopter, and ground transportation can be arranged, if needed, from the helipad.
   
6. What is the weather like at the landing zone?
   While it may be clear and dry at the point of takeoff, the landing zone may be fogged or snowed in. Typical weather questions asked by the Airlift Northwest 24-Hour ComCenter are: What is the estimated ceiling? Can you see the tops of the trees? The stars? Is it snowing?

What the Airlift Northwest 24-Hour ComCenter Needs To Know for Inter-Hospital Transport:

1. Name of person requesting transport
2. Referring hospital phone number
3. Your telephone number, with area code and extension
4. Referring hospital and physician
5. Receiving hospital and physician
6. Name, age and weight of patient
7. Patient information — Knowing about the patient's diagnosis, vital signs and medications helps Airlift Northwest determine if any special equipment or supplies not normally carried on the aircraft are necessary (i.e. blood products, an isolette, traction device, pacemaker)
8. Weather conditions at your facility — During certain times of the year, weather conditions can vary and affect the ability to land an aircraft at your facility or a nearby landing area. So the 24-Hour ComCenter may ask for a description of weather conditions at your facility. Is it foggy or snowing? Can you see the tops of the trees, the stars?

Your assistance in providing this essential information will ensure the best possible outcome for patients.

Click image above to view rotary wing landing zone requirements.