By Don Dupray
The Rowley Fire, Police and emergency dispatchers recently completed a training course with Boston MedFlight. The training focused on the protocols and best practices for both predetermined and emergency landing zones. Scene safety, patient handling and loading as well as emergency procedures in the event of a helicopter related emergency were reviewed by Boston Med Flight personnel. The training ended with a visit from one of the MedFlight helicopters and a chance for the Rowley first responders to interact with the pilot, flight nurse and paramedic. For 35 years, Boston MedFlight has been the region’s primary provider of critical care medical transport by air and ground, caring for more than 4,700 patients annually, including the most critically ill and injured infants, children and adults. As a nonprofit organization, they provide over $4 million annually in free and unreimbursed care to patients in need with little or no medical insurance. The air and ground vehicles serve as mobile ICUs, staffed by a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic. Boston MedFlight is a key part of the region’s healthcare system – collaborating with first responders, community hospitals and academic medical centers.