Page 8 - FEBRUARY 2 , 2017 - martensville messenger
ABOVE : Members of the Martensville Fire Department and Dalmeny Fire & Rescue wait for STARS Air Ambulance to land during a training exercise . ( Ciara O ’ Reilly / Martensville Messenger )
At the Wireless Age we ’ re here to listen to you . We call it ...
“ unplugged and all in ”
STARS in the Night Sky
Ciara O ’ Reilly , Martensville Messenger
Located just on the outskirts of our city , the Martensville Fire Department ( MFD ) as well as Dalmeny Fire & Rescue ( DFR ) awaited the arrival of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society ( STARS ) helicopter on a cold January night . The crews were suited up and prepared for the landing training that was set to take place at their training base just outside the city ’ s limits . “ It ’ s a very important component in the STARS pilots ’ training ; the pilots have annual night vision goggle training that is a requirement of Transport Canada . STARS are the only civilian service that flies with night vision goggles ,” informed flight paramedic and community education-liaison officer ( with STARS ) Luc Duval . “ It allows us to land anywhere at any time ,” he added . “ But in order to do it effectively , it ’ s important to have a ground crew that is able to secure the area for a safe landing .”
Upon the chopper ’ s arrival , STARS pilots circled the area numerous times before deciding to descend from the clear skies . Guided by the glowing red batons from that of the MFD & DFR , the red AW139 helicopter began its descent and initiated the planned landing procedure between the two burn buildings ; a more than tight squeeze . Crouching between the two buildings at the centre of a 29-metre landing zone , the volunteer firefighters braced themselves from the upcoming gusts of wind and snow as the chopper dropped lower and lower . The two-way radio crackled as the voice of the STARS pilots could be heard , informing the volunteers that the landing space is simply too narrow and they must land elsewhere . The helicopter thusly ascends and circles the area a few more times before beginning its descent upon a 36-meter square landing zone . The chopper descended with its beaming lights with ease , until the distance between ground and rotors became too much for the snow to bear . Suddenly the area was ignited with the helicopter ’ s lights on full beam . Rays of red , green , and white lit up the immediate area , and the snow was kicked up into a shielded mist allowing for virtually zero visibility . STARS pilots needed to execute the landing meticulously , so they were visually prepared with a pair of special Night Vision Goggles . Through the smog , the pilots were able to catch sight of the firefighter ’ s reflective gear as the strong beams of light bounced upon them . Crouching a little too close for comfort , the MFD & DFR beneath the craft became silhouetted in the centre of the chopper-induced snow ball .
The landings that took place during the evening of Wednesday , January 25th , continued for numerous hours into the night as Martensville volunteer firefighters took their turn beneath the man-made blizzard . “ It was a thrilling experience for the crew , and definitely something you don ’ t get to do every day ,” says MFD volunteer , Bryden Chillog , after emerging from the ice-pelleting gusts . The night-landing training allows for valuable experience for both sets of rescue crews . The STARS pilot ’ s receive their needed certification for the use of their Night Vision Goggles , and the MFD & DFR receives the valuable experience in training to guide a rescue craft to the ground . Duval said that the grounds crew needs to be aware of potential hazards that can be thrown up in the wash of wind from the rotors . They must also be prepared for other factors like wind direction . This sort of training is crucial in order for crews to be prepared for the procedures taken by STARS in the case of emergency . STARS crews are trained annually in various landing procedures similar to this . “ The training improves communication and helps reduce the possibility of mistakes in a crisis situation . Practical experience helps give a person confidence ,” said Duval .
In 2003 , STARS became the first civilian aircraft carriers to use Night Vision Goggle use for navigation in Canada . This cutting-edge technology ultimately improves flight safety for the crews . Flight crew ’ s at all six STARS bases are trained in the use of Night Vison Goggles and employ this technology on a regular basis during night operations .