Emergency helicopter service to help local area
PHI Air Medical to give training presentation
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

PHI Air Medical will be sending an emergency helicopter into Ripley County on May 19, but not to transport a victim.

The emergency helicopter service will be providing an education event at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park in Osgood, and will arrive at 6:00 p.m. that evening. "PHI Air Medical crews will fly to Indiana communities to inform public safety personnel of situations when helicopter transport is beneficial. The educational program will include aircraft orientation and a presentation on the medical management of trauma patients," PHI Air Medical Base Manager Jim Hall noted.

PHI personnel will present a trauma assessment/management and on-the-scene training program to area fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. The program will include a one-hour clinical presentation including case studies; 30 minute instruction on aircraft safety; and a 30-minute hands-on orientation to working safely around the aircraft.

PHI Air Medical is available to transport victims in need of emergency medical care out of Ripley County to area city hospitals. The company operates helicopters in Anderson, Columbus and West Lafayette to fly critically ill patients to specialized care facilities.

"We routinely respond to life-threatening emergencies and recognize a person's life rests in the hands of many people," noted Hall.
According to Jill Perry, PHI marketing manager, the agency is committed to supporting the communities where they operate and will help to provide a solution to relieve hunger. At the May 19, event in Ripley County, they ask citizens to come out and see what they are all about. Admission to the event will be one can of food or non-perishable item. Inturn, PHI Air Medical will match the amount of food collected and it will be distributed to food banks in Ripley County.

"We recognize a lack of food is a devastating problem that affects every community," noted Ron Kruas, PHI Air Medical Clinical Manager.

"PHI Air Medical will donate one can of food for every can contributed by public safety personnel attending the educational event. PHI looks forward to collaborating with the emergency care community and food banks to tackle this problem."

Jason Smith, Operations Director from Rescue 69, noted that Ripley County has three helicopter services available now. They are from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Louisville. He noted that PHI Air Medical is an additional tool rescue personnel will now have to help people in the community when they have a crisis.