New helipad going in at Fire Hall
Derek Kilbourn
derek@soundernews.com
Tuesday, January 26 2010
The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department wants to hire some local contractors to build a permanent helipad at the back of the fire hall property. This would allow for medevacs and other helicopter landings to take place in a more controlled area than the ones used currently on Gabriola.
Fire chief, Rick Jackson, said there is currently an “H” in back of the fire hall, but because of a slight sloping and other requirements, it does not meet all the needs for a nighttime landing or larger helicopter.
Plans are progressing on the design and location of the proposed new fire hall, Rick said, and the current pad will be taken out during the construction process.
“A few years ago, Transport Canada came in and said the best place would be on the bluff up there [at the back of the fire hall lot].”
The new helipad clearing will measure 60 metres by 60 metres.
“An area has to be cleared up there with a minor bit of leveling to get it to spec.”
Up until now, when there has been an emergency, Rollo Park has served as a nighttime landing site. Crews can set up temporary lights on the field and helicopters can land.
While the new site doesn’t necessarily mean quicker access to a helicopter for ambulance crews, it will mean easier access.
Rick said, “It’s easily accessible on land we already own. We don’t have to chase kids off the field like we do down at the park.
“This brings it within the realm of proper procedures. So we’re getting quotes from local contractors to get the land cleared.
“Helicopters land every couple of weeks, the Coast Guard drops in, the RCMP drop in.
“This [new helipad] will be able to accommodate the biggest search and rescue helicopters from various emergencies. This will give us a controlled space with the proper lighting and everything set up to use it.”
The choice to call in a medevac is left to the ambulance crews. With a medevac, according to Rick, a patient can be in Vancouver in 20 minutes as, “opposed to being taken off by boat at night.
“Contrary to what some people say, it is a very adequate system with the boat. But there are situations when time is of the essence. We had a car accident a couple years ago, where the person involved would have died if he had to go by boat.”
As for the new fire hall, Rick said the proposals are ongoing. “We have a proposal from an architectural firm who specializes in halls.
“We’re working to get the costs down from where the proposal is. We want to reduce the cost without reducing the effectiveness of what we’re trying to build.”
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