Minneapolis, MN (October 25, 2017) – Life Link III has been named the 2017 recipient of the Vision Zero Aviation Safety award by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). This award, sponsored by Airbus, recognizes an air medical program that has demonstrated a commitment to aviation safety, spotlights specific safety initiatives and encourages the sharing of ideas so others in the industry may benefit from them.
This Vision Zero Aviation Safety award was presented to Life Link III in recognition of their hospital helipad safety training video. Life Link III continually reviews safety processes and procedures and recently identified a need for a standardized hospital helipad safety training. In 2017, Life Link III completed production of a hospital helipad safety training video, intended to educate hospital staff who assist with patient transports or maintain the helipad area. This safety training video features transport best practices that demonstrate how flight crews and hospital staff can partner to provide the safest experience possible.
The video features guidance on properly maintaining a hospital helipad, pre-arrival preparations, final approach and landing precautions, and proper patient unloading and loading techniques for both surface and rooftop helipads. In order to promote safety throughout the industry, Life Link III has made this video available to other air medical transport programs. Flight programs are welcome to use the video to create a safer environment for patients, hospital staff, and flight crews.
“We are honored that Life Link III’s hospital helipad safety training video was selected as this year’s recipient of the Vision Zero Aviation Safety award. At Life Link III, we promote a strong safety culture and are proud to encourage education and innovation throughout the industry,” said Joe Hennessy, Safety Manager at Life Link III.
Winners are awarded $10,000 to directly support the safety efforts of a program that promotes a higher level of safety in air medical aviation. All air transport programs and operators that are members of the Association of Air Medical Service (AAMS) are eligible to apply for the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award.
The hospital helipad safety training video is available for download at www.lifelinkiii.com.
About Life Link III
Life Link III operates seven helicopter bases that include Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Cloquet, Hibbing, and Willmar, Minnesota, and Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Life Link III’s helicopter and airplane services provide on-scene emergency response and inter-facility transport for patients requiring critical care. The company’s transportation services are accredited by CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transportation Services), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety are met. Life Link III is a non-profit consortium and is the air medical transport program for the following member-owner organizations: Allina Health, CentraCare Health, Children’s Minnesota, Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, Regions Hospital/HealthPartners®, Hennepin County Medical Center, St. Luke’s, and Sacred Heart Hospital.
