Helipad Response

Description
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has two helipads on the roof of the north side of the building. These helipads are dedicated to emergency patient care use. They are under the administrative control of the Emergency Department.

Team Approach

1. Security ensures safety procedures are followed including: ensuring hearing protection is used during operations, employees safely approaching the aircraft after landing and securing all personnel in the lobby area prior to aircraft take-off. In addition, Security routinely checks for obvious problems such as lights out, route obstructions, safety net issues and debris. Repair and replacement requests are submitted to Health System Facilities or the Safety Department.
2. Medical teams responding to the helipad should wait in the lobby until the helicopter lands and throttles down, following directions from the Security Officer.

Fire Suppression Equipment
There is an installed Fire Suppression System at each helipad and is equipped with foam for fire suppression. The system can be operated in either a fixed mode or an oscillating mode. The oscillating mode provides coverage over the entire pad. The nozzle can also be operated manually allowing the user to control the direction of discharge. The foam is AFFF, aqueous film forming foam, low expansion type which has the appearance of white sudsy water.

Step Process

Step #1: Pull YELLOW lever located next to doors to activate Fire Suppression System. If that does not work, then use manual system outside.

Step #2: Responding Departments will be notified.

1. Safety
2. Respiratory Therapy
3. Environmental Services
4. Security
5. Health System Facilities

Step #3: Before responding to area with a fire extinguisher, check all closed doors for heat before opening. 

Helipad Operations Policy »