Piikani Fire Department learns to prepare for a helicopter landing

Adam Crowshoe directing pilot to take off
Photos courtesy of Paula Smith

Toni Lucas with extensive notes from Piikani Nation Communications Officer Paula Smith 

Piikani Nation Volunteer Fire Department  (PFD) Volunteers recently had the opportunity to participate in STARS Air Ambulance Landing Training.  The segment of training that they attended was called Preparing a Helicopter Landing Zone.


"In the event of a large scale emergency incident and STARS Air Ambulance was required in the area, the Fire Department would be the ground handlers," stated PFD Manager Floyd Provost.  The crew trained in response to a theoretical incident that would require landing a helicopter and were trained about landing zones,  the Four W's:  Wind, Wires, Way in and Way Out, and the Four S's:  Size, Shape, Slope, and Surface.

Gary Yellow Horn, Adam Crowshoe, Floyd Provost, Robin Smith

Participating trainees included Sheila Bad Eagle, Rachel Bad Eagle, Adam Crowshoe, Patrick Smith, Robin Smith, Gary Yellowhorn, Randy Wolf Tail, Keith Knowlton, Alvin Yellow Horn, Cody Black Eyes, and Floyd Provost.

Gary Yellow Horn, Patrick Smith, Adam Crowshoe (holding control lights),
Rachel Bad Eagle, Sheila Bad Eagle, Robin Smith, and Floyd Provost

Bighorn Helicopters out of Cranbrook BC was hired to conduct the training. Pilot and Fernie Base Manager Nate Najda gave a tutorial to some of the trainees on take off and landing in the helicopter.