June 9, 1979

EMTs inspect ambulance helicopter

       Dr. Henry Bock of Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, arrived Monday in the Methodist Hospital helicopter and was the guest speaker at the regular meeting of the Johnson County Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) at the Johnson County Law Enforcement Facility. The ambulance helicopter landed on the lawn of the Johnson County Hospital, with Bock, nurses, the pilot and co-pilot aboard. It arrived in 11 minutes from Methodist Hospital to Johnson County Hospital. Slides were shown of a New Orleans ambulance helicopter and rescue missions of seriously injured or ill patients. Bock said the helicopter is available to anyone within a 120-mile radius by request of local authorities, with a fee of approximately $350 to $400 from the area. It is equipped with IHERN and dispatched from Methodist Hospital and only needs 60 square feet to land. On board will be a doctor and a nurse from the hospital emergency room when the helicopter goes into full service July 1. The helicopter will not interfere in any way with the normal procedures of ambulances. It would only be available for seriously injured as lifeline emergency transportation, said Bock. The meeting adjourned and all proceeded to the site of the helicopter for inspection of the equipment, a demonstration on loading and unloading patients. Everyone returned to the jail and the meeting was reopened. Jim Gerard of Central Indiana Emergency Medical Service showed a movie of emergency medical service and the advanced life support system. A general discussion followed and EMS literature was distributed. The exchange program for supplies (underway since June1) from the Johnson County Hospital to the local ambulance services was discussed. Also discussed was the possibility of having printed ID cards with pictures to be worn by local EMT’s on ambulance runs for identification in emergency rooms at the hospitals. It was noted pictures are also needed for the INCERT program. The EMT’s indicated the committee should use its own judgment on the projects for the Johnson County Fair. The 20-hour refresher course will be given again this year.  An extrication class will be held Saturday, June 16, at 8:30 a.m. at fire station No. 2 on Fry Road in Greenwood. Anyone interested in attending may call Pat McDaniel at the Johnson County Red Cross office. Attending the EMT meeting Monday were representatives from all Franklin Volunteer Fire Departments; the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department; Jim Smith, State Police Post Evansville, and EMT’s Del Middleton, Paul Gomben, Francis E. Asher, Stephen Potterff, Kathy Pitcher, Don Smith, Sandra Seifert, Pat McDaniel, Ed Wheatcraft, Dan Kurt, Ken Spicer, Mary Courtney, Hayden Fleener, Barry Schnak, Forrest Sutton, Rich Lashbrook, Ron Macy, Buzz Bay, Jeff Cortney, Bill Collins, Velma Markins and Doug and Velma Bolin. Also Scott Cotton, Dan Goen, Stuart Bridges, Charles and Trudy Gray, Jim Smith, Mickey Reed, Mike Moore, Charles Brown, Rich Ashbrook, Judy Young, Sam Williams, Danny Shafer, Dick Johnson, James Kelsay, Troy Perkins, Tom Kuhn Jr., Mike Hughes, Dee Kyle, Charles Long, Bob Read, Dan Kurtz, Patsy Kurty, Joe McAllister, John Jackson, Gary Neeman, Jeff Barker, Dan Dodd, Kenneth Gwin, Gordon Barker, Debbie Newlin, and Fred Cordes.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)  See a related story HERE.
 
 

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