CRMC holds helicopter crash training

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Wyoming winds can be dangerous for any aircraft, including helicopters. But what about essential, life-saving flights like Flight For Life?

The Cheyenne Regional Medical Center partnered with the Cheyenne Fire Rescue to hold a helicopter crash training on Tuesday. This training prepares first responders for the event of a helicopter crash on their helipad or around the hospital.

“We like to practice the things that don’t happen very often, for in the rare event that something does occur, we need to make sure that our skills are sharpened to where we are ready to respond to something as catastrophic as this.” said Ryan Anderson, a Lieutenant at the Cheyenne Fire Rescue.

Wind can cause the flexible propellers on a helicopter to bounce or move unpredictably. This can take out the tail, or throw the helicopter off course, which could be extremely dangerous, and even cause crashes.

The hospital has added safety precautions in the event of a disaster, but first responders also need to be prepared and have a plan.

“We assess risk here every single day. Something that may happen like a fire or a tornado, and this is just another one of those risks that have been identified. Obviously the helistop is on top of the hospital, and the chances especially with our wind, of something disastrous happening are there. Not good, but they are there.” said CRMC Emergency Manager Candis Pickard when asked about why they are training for such a rare event.

CRMC staff holds emergency trainings for different emergencies regularly to make sure they are always ready for whatever catastrophe may come their way.

These trainings could save just one, or many lives if things take a wrong turn.

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