MEMORANDUM

 TO:                  CLEAR CREEK SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS

                        CLEAR CREEK SHERIFF’S OFFICE PATROL

                        IDAHO SPRINGS POLICE

                        COLORADO STATE PATROL        

                        CLEAR CREEK FIRE AUTHORITY

                        FLIGHT FOR LIFE – KATHLEEN MAYER

                        AIR LIFE DISPATCH

                        GILPIN AMBULANCE

                        SUMMIT COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE

                        CLEAR CREEK EMS STAFF

FROM:             CRAIG ABRAHAMSON, DIRECTOR CLEAR CREEK EMS

DATE:             SEPTEMBER 28, 2004

RE:                   FLOYD HILL LANDING ZONE PROCEDURES

The preferred location for landing zones at the top of Floyd Hill for rendezvous between ground and air ambulance resources (aka helicopters) is the east parking lot at the new Clear Creek High School. This change is at the request of the residents of Floyd Hill who have concerns with limiting access to and from their homes.

Obviously, the High School Parking Lot LZ is only useful if the school is not in session or occupied for a special event. However, most night and weekend rendezvous should be able to be accommodated at this site.

If the school parking lot is not accessible for any reason, then the other LZ at the ride stop can be used. When using this LZ, please attempt to locate the helicopter off of the main roadway so as to facilitate passage of traffic between landing and take-off. For the Air Life folks, please perform cold loads whenever possible for the same reason. Also, please notify the Clear Creek County Communications Center whenever it is not possible to use the High School so as to facilitate documentation of the frequency of such events.

Location of the LZ requires close coordination between those securing the LZ (usually law enforcement), the ground resource, and the helicopter. Unless there is a safety concern identified by the helicopter or the agency responsible for securing the LZ, the ground resource preference should always be considered, as they are responsible for making decisions regarding patient condition and resource need.

The GPS coordinates for the two sites are:

            Floyd Hill Ride Stop:               N39^o 42.196’   W105^o 24.629’

            Clear Creek High School:  N39^o 42.963’   W105^o 24.160’

Feel free to call with any questions or comments. My number is 303-567-4221, or you can e-mail me at clearcreekems@qwest.net.