September 1, 2016 - The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) hosted a landing zone training class featuring Life Air Rescue crew members discussing proper procedures on August 23, 2016.
Travis Schulze, Flight Nurse, with Life Air Rescue gave a presentation to firemen from the Tenaha VFD, Timpson VFD, Woods VFD, Center VFD and Joaquin VFD.
Schulze shared with the firemen a brief history of Life Air Rescue. The helicopter company is out of Shreveport, La. and Schulze said the current helicopter in use is an EC-135 which is a twin engine helicopter that loads from the rear.
"We're the only CAMTS accredited program in Louisiana, as of right now, there are a couple more. CAMTS pretty much, if you think of it like a hospital, how they have all these different agencies that come in and accredit them actually saying that their doing things the way their supposed to be done, that's what CAMTS is for the transport side of it," said Schulze.
He said the benefit is it helps them to see where they can improve. The firemen were informed on when it's time to request a life flight. Early activation was an important factor when dealing with an emergency and according to Schulze, no one will get charged if a life flight is requested and the request is cancelled.
Schulze discussed landing zone preparation, ground operations and informed the firemen of the MetroAlert app. With the use of the app, firemen are supposed to be able to communicate directly with Life Air Rescue communications, send GPS coordinates to Life Air Rescue's communications center, send photos from the scene to a communications specialist, as well as a number of other features.
Schulze covered some of the differences with the firemen between an ambulance on the ground and one in the air.
"The difference is our scope of practice, the things that we can do, it's a little bit more expanded. We're allowed a little more leeway in what they let us do. We carry a few more drugs, we now carry blood on-board the aircraft. That's huge, we're the only people in the state of Louisiana that have blood on the aircraft. If we've got a trauma patient that's bleeding out, that's what they need," said Schulze.
Following the Life Air Rescue presentation, Stephen Ewing with Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department shared information about upcoming training available to all departments which is taking place in Longview. He stated the live burn training will take place on October 3 at the Eastman Training School.
"If you have never been there, it is one of the best one night schools that there is available," said Ewing.
According to Ewing, the Texas Forest Service will reimburse those attending for the student fee.
"I met with our regional training manager out of College Station the other day and he's interested in setting up some training classes in our area. I'm just trying to get an idea what kind of interest we've got for what kind of training classes they can offer," said Ewing.
Ewing told the firemen some of the variety of classes that are available. He also stated he would like for there to be classes once a month if possible, and he would like to see them hosted at different fire departments across the county so all departments can take advantage of the free training.
He also is trying to get an education school scheduled for next spring in Shelby County so different instructors from different areas in the state can come to the area and teach things like new extrication techniques.
"There's some really good instructors out there that's up to speed on the latest and greatest techniques, and they're not going to come to try to sell you a tool," said Ewing. "If you want to use what you've got, they'll use it, or they'll bring what they've got."
Ewing said some of that training will have a cost to it, but is eligible for reimbursement by the state. He also talked with the firemen about classes in College Station that are also available to the departments.
Following the class within the department meeting room, the firemen went outside to witness the arrival of a Life Air Rescue helicopter and view the aircraft up close.
The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department expressed appreciation to all of the departments attending the meeting as it was a good crowd of people.
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