WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
July 29, 2005
Team Effort Brings HealthNet Closer to Accident Victims on ATV Trails
By HNN Staff
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- It's a rite of summer. Once the weather gets warm,
people bring out their all-terrain vehicles. Some use them to work on their
farms and some for recreation. Because they are ridden in very rural and
rugged terrain, getting to people who have accidents while riding them is a
challenge. And often, the injuries caused by accidents on ATVs require the
patient to be flown to the nearest trauma center.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services now has specific locations to land along the
ATV trails in the Ironton Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest,
thanks to the collaborative effort of the U.S. Forest Service, the Southeast
Ohio Emergency Medical Services District, local fire departments and the
National Wild Turkey Federation.
On Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 at 10 a.m. the agencies involved with the landing
site designation program will gather at the ball field at Lake Vesuvius.
ATVs, ambulances, fire equipment and the HealthNet helicopter will be
on-hand to officially open the sites and explain the utilization process to
the media.
The landing zones were selected by HealthNet flight team members, then the
U.S. Forest Service staff cleared and prepared the locations so emergency
helicopters could land safely in these remote areas. The National Wild
Turkey Federation paid for producing signs that instruct riders what to do
when they have an emergency and air transport is required.
"The designation of these remote landing sites is a tremendous step and will
result in faster access to injured ATV riders." said Clinton Burley, Manager
of Pre-Hospital Services at Cabell Huntington Hospital. "This is a great
example of how collaboration between public and private agencies makes a
difference in a community. We are excited to have been a part of it."
