The use of helicopters in disaster relief operations

David Alexander University College London

The helicopter is a versatile vehicle for emergency operations but: (a) it is not

like a road vehicle, (b) special procedures need to be observed to ensure safety.

It is as important for emergency workers on the ground to understand

the rules of helicopter operation as it is for those in the aircraft

Accidents are unlikely if proper procedures are rigorously followed by all participants.

• must be suited to task undertaken

• size and power: two-engine model preferable?

• range (km) & fuel capacity/consumption

• manoeuverability

• communications equipment and system.

Aircraft characteristics

• maintenance cycle and ratio of flying time to maintenance time

• accommodation: e.g. for patients, medical personnel, rescuers

• ambulance equipment (e.g. stretcher, medicine chest, defibrilator)?

• motorised winch facilities on board (with winch operator)?.

Equipment

• cockpit visibility?

• blind-flying navigation system?

• tail-rotor protection system?

• wire-strike protection system?.

Risk reduction

• pilot (co-pilot needed?)

• doctor & paramedics for air ambulances

•rescuers: - rosters and availability - set duty period or 24-hour? - time required to notify and scramble crew - call-up procedures

• mechanics.

Crew

• what configuration of usage will funding permit? - now and in the future - for aircraft, crew and equipment

• administrative arrangements - lease, buy or hire the aircraft? - subcontract the crewing? - type and cost of maintenance contract - stabling, maintenance & landing rights - stated availability (nights/weekends?).

Organisation

• flight patterns

• search procedures (sortie patterns, co-ordination, altitudes)

• rescue procedures

• frequency and type of training simulations.

Training is essential for for helicopter rescue work

Sortie pattern for searches

• area normally covered

- extended by mutual assistance pacts?

- period of coverage (nocturnal, holidays?)

• flight-path clearance arrangements

• preconditions for call-out and rescue operations

• coordination with ground.based rescuers.

Missions

• fly 360-degree circle before landing

• look for utility poles

• do not fly low over ridge crests

• restrict low flying and landing in poor visibility

• wire-strike protection system (WSPT).

Hazards: wire-strike (cables not visible looking down against the ground)

• fog (blind flying navigation equipment?)

• icing (deicing equipment, procedures?)

• storms and high winds

• darkness (spotlights? infrared sights?)

• landing area safety?.

Hazards

• must not be constricted by buildings, cables, vegetation, masts, poles

• identification marks?

• stability, drainage, reinforcement?

• nocturnal illumination? how to turn it on?.

Procedures - Helipads

• never on motorways

• fully supervised landing on roads

• prior surveillance for landing on unmarked sites

• illumination for nocturnal landings.

Procedures - Field Landing

• mountain work

• suspended rescues (building sites, cable cars, cranes, etc.)

• cliff-side rescues

• roadside work

• rescues from boats, ships and oil rigs.

Procedures - Rescues

• emergency landing practice

• are maps of utility lines available and up-to-date?

• size and weight parameters for loads carried (internal and external)

• limiting flight conditions

Procedures - Safety

• retraining programmes

• limitations on workloads.

• emergency alarm procedure leading to scramble

• decision by flight administrator

• request by organisations affiliated to helicopter service.

Activation of helicopter missions occurs in response to...

• where meteorological conditions permit use of helicopter - reconnaissance missions to size up the problem and needs

• where helicopter is best or only available means of transport for - rescues - airlift of technical or medical staff, supplies or equipment - airlift of seriously injured patients.

Use of helicopters in civil protection

Rotors • wind can turn objects into missiles • strict boarding and disembarkation requirements to avoid injury

Temperature • high temperature exhaust from motors can be dangerous

Noise • high frequency, high volume noise from turbines.

Risks associated with helicopters

• inexperience of lack of adequate training

• fear, leading to lack of cool judgement

• deliberate flouting of safety rules

• failure to follow specified maintenance procedures.

Human error leading to crashes or incidents results from:-

Fog • sight navigation impossible in low visibility

Rain • thunderstorms can be dangerous • rain can make field landing sites boggy

Snow • falling or whirling snow reduces visibility • ice forms on helicopter or in air intakes

Wind • gusting causes dangerous flying conditions.

Meteorological problems

• designated: airport, heliport, helipad

• not designated: sports pitch, field, road, motorway, city square, car park, etc.

Landing area

• must be kept free of obstacles for 50-80 m radius, including objects set in motion by rotor vortices

• ambulances and personnel stationed at a distance from landing point

• uneven landing spots (potholes, etc.) can lead to impact of tail on ground.

Landing area

• no loose obstacles in 50-80 m radius • no suspended wires in vicinity • good illumination (night or in bad visibility) • crowds and unauthorized people to be - kept away at all times - kept under constant surveillance • dry, dusty terrain to be watered down • if possible, not on loose snow • on firm, well-drained ground • on ice, helicopter can twist around (tail-rotor hazard).

Requirements for landing on unofficial site

• reason: what has happened, where and when • how many people, how much equipment to airlift • are there any injured, if so, what injuries? • is a hoist needed? • are specialized personnel needed? • can helicopter wait at site with engine running (estimated waiting time)?

How to make civil protection requests for helicopter support

How to make civil protection requests for helicopter support

• clearly describe obstacles in vicinity of landing site

• weather conditions (visibility at site, on route; wind strength, direction, precipitation, storms, etc.)

• describe landing site

• are there emergency personnel at site that can help with landing procedures?

• phone no. for future communications.

• geographical coordinates: latitude, longitude (e.g. with GPS)

• radial distance by aeronautical radio beacon

• refer to objects and phenomena clearly visible & identifiable from air

• use clock positions (e.g. at 3 pm with respect to your current position and path).

Hoe to indicate location

Conclusion: helicopters are versatile vehicles of great use in emergencies, but it is impe- rative that strict safety rules be observed.