Helicopter safety training course held in Alleghany

Members of all police, fire and rescue departments in Alleghany County were invited to attend a helicopter safety training course last Saturday at Alleghany Memorial Hospital.

The training course was set up by Alleghany County Emergency Management Coordinator Gerald Leftwich and performed by aircare specialists from N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

"That particular training was oriented toward teaching the people how to set up a landing zone and how to package a patient to properly get them on a helicopter," said Leftwich. "It was also important to teach them what to do and what not to do around a helicopter for safety reasons."

According to Wes Wood, compliance officer and risk manager at AMH, 35 people attended the training session, including members from Alleghany County EMS, Alleghany County Rescue Squad, Sparta Volunteer Fire Department, Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department, Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Piney Creek Volunteer Fire Department and AMH.

"Some members brought kids, so the day was family oriented," said Wood.

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