BELFAST, Maine — When someone gets badly hurt in the woods, every second counts.
There are many factors that can complicate or slow down a rescue. Cell phones may not work, roads may be far away, and rescuers and pilots of medical helicopters may have to use precious time finding a safe place to land. That’s why Bob LaFontaine, the coastal region vice president of the Maine Snowmobile Association, had a brainstorm two years ago that identifying helicopter landing zones in the woods before accidents happened could help save lives.
Snowmobile riders have been working with LifeFlight of Maine ever since to find appropriate spots near some of Maine’s 13,000 miles of trail, and LaFontaine is thrilled with the results.
“The snowmobile clubs just went out and did a good job,” he said recently. “What would happen if there was a four-wheeler accident three miles in the woods? We’re trying to save time.”
So far, 300 landing zones have been identified in the coastal region alone, he said, in terrain that stretches from Waldo County down toward Augusta. LaFontaine proudly held up one of the bright orange signs that will be used to mark the landing zones. The reflective plastic sign was emblazoned with the GPS coordinates of the spot where it will be placed.
Remote landing zones need to be 100 square feet, firm and level, and clear of power lines and tree branches, he said. The zones also have to be dry — LifeFlight cannot land on frozen lakes and ponds, he said.
When club riders find such an area, they tell LaFontaine, who alerts officials with LifeFlight of Maine and passes on the coordinates. If the site is acceptable, and landowner permission is granted, the sign project moves forward. MedComm, a separate organization that provides communications specialists for LifeFlight and other ground ambulance services, will maintain a database of the trail coordinates as well as panoramic photographs of each landing zone.
“The landing zones still keep coming in, more and more and more,” LaFontaine said, adding that snowmobile clubs in northern Maine have been interested in participating. “I’m really happy this is happening.”
The first phase of the project was to identify the landing zones, while the second phase is to get them marked. LaFontaine said that a fire department in southern Maine donated $500 so that the Maine Snowmobile Association could get the first batch of signs made.
LifeFlight crew members and local rescue personnel also will be training snowmobilers on how to report a serious accident and how to set up a landing zone if necessary.
“We’re just glad that everything has taken place,” LaFontaine said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
For information on how snowmobile clubs can schedule communications and ground safety training, contact LaFontaine at bobiswim@gmail.com or call the LifeFlight Foundation at 230-7092.