Local departments train with Air Evac crews

According to the Muscle Shoals base nurse educator Kevin Montgomery, the training is something the Air Evac Lifeteam does for their coverage area.

The Muscle Shoals base on 3 Mile Lane covers a 70-mile radius from their station.

Montgomery went over a variety of topics with the firefighters including the particulars of the member of the Air Evac duty crew, helicopter safety and establishing a safe landing zone.

“Our company can only assist if we are able to land safely,” Montgomery said. “We depend on the professionals at the scene to establish a safe landing zone and that’s why it’s important that they know the right and wrong things to do.”

After the presentation Air Evac Lifeteam members showed the firefighters the inside of the helicopter, where emergency supplies were located and the basics of how the helicopter worked.

Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell is glad to have his department participate in this training.

“We’re getting to where we use Air Evac more and more so it’s good to have them teach us how what we should do when we are working with them or in the event of an emergency situation,” Mansell said.

“The most important thing is to get the patient to the level of care they need in the quickest amount of time because that will result in a better survival rate,” Mansell said.

“Air Evac can provide that, and we are glad to work with them.”