posted May 16, 2025

Landing Zone Training Ensures Safety Among Teams

LOST HILLS, CA – May 16, 2025 – On Tuesday, May 13, Air Methods’ local air medical programs, Mercy Air and SkyLife, conducted a large-scale landing zone safety training at the Lost Hills-Kern County Airport, bringing together several public safety agencies for an interagency collaboration.

The exercise included aerial and ground operations from Mercy Air 15 (Bakersfield), Mercy Air 34 (Paso Robles), and SkyLife H3 (Visalia), alongside the California Highway Patrol, Kern County Fire Department, and Hall Ambulance. The coordinated effort focused on improving safety procedures, communication protocols, and operational readiness in dynamic, high-risk environments where multiple helicopters may be active at once.

“This training highlights the importance of working together to ensure safe and effective patient care,” said Mercy Air Account Executive Zach Regan. “When everyone understands their role and works from the same information, it enhances safety for our crews, our partners, and most importantly, our patients.”

The session covered critical aspects of landing zone preparation, including landing zone selection and setup, aircraft communication, and safe helicopter approach following landing. With challenges like wires, obstacles hidden in tall grass, and poor visibility, pilots rely heavily on accurate ground support to identify and maintain secure landing zones.

“This type of multi-agency training is invaluable,” said Kern County Fire Department Captain Monte Hammett. “It gives everyone involved a chance to learn, collaborate, and refine procedures together—so when we’re in a real emergency, we’re already functioning as one cohesive team.”

Mercy Air and SkyLife regularly conduct joint training with first responders and local agencies to be prepared for any emergent situation and meet evolving challenges. The ability to quickly and safely transport patients by air hinges on rapid response and precise coordination. Exercises like this reinforce the foundational skills necessary to carry out those missions under pressure.

Mercy Air and SkyLife teams respond when dispatched through a 911 call, a local first responder agency request, or a call from a hospital requesting an interfacility transfer. The flight team is comprised of a seasoned pilot and a highly trained critical care team consisting of a nurse and a paramedic. On every transport mission, the clinical team carries blood, which can be administered in flight, if necessary, positively increasing patient outcomes. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), Mercy Air and SkyLife adhere to the industry’s highest standards in safety and clinical excellence and provide lifesaving services without requiring a membership to avoid a costly bill.