LifeFlight Eagle recently participated in a dedication event for a new helipad that community members built for the residents of Hale, Mo., and surrounding communities.
LifeFlight Eagle Flight Nurse Butch LeRoy, left, Hale City Lodge member Lloyd Lyons, Hale Lions Club members Bob Maddox, Gene Foster and Harold Shatto, and LifeFlight Eagle Flight Paramedic Damon Akers prepare for the ribbon cutting of the new helipad.
The safe, pre-determined landing site was built through the efforts of the civic organizations and local businesses with funds donated from citizens.
"Pre-determined landing areas like the new helipad in Hale improve our ability to get to patients safely, efficiently and quickly," said Dick Whipple, LifeFlight Eagle Vice-President of Operations.
"We work with local EMS agencies to train and educate them on the best practices for transporting critically ill or injured patients from a scene or remote location. When possible, we work together to meet at pre-designated landing zones. When both LifeFlight Eagle and the EMS agency have a pre-determined location to meet like the new Hale helipad, it improves safety for everyone involved in the patient transport."