New Mexico Department of Public Safety Officers to Receive Training in Safe Landing Zones for Air Medical Rescue by Native Air

Online, February 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - More than 9,600 people are transported by air medical rescue providers each year in New Mexico. New Mexico Department of Public Safety Officers from around the state will be trained in helicopter operations and safety in a vital training program hosted by Native Air.

The training covers what officers need to look for in preparing a safe landing zone for an emergency helicopter rescue team, and what information to provide to the communication center. This class will provide important education regarding safety awareness for those on the ground when a helicopter is heading to a rescue scene as well as those in the aircraft. Officers will also learn about patient criteria for transport by air instead of ground and the importance of transporting patients to the closest appropriate facility in the quickest and safest time for the patient, especially with trauma, cardiac and stroke victims.

About Native Air:
Native Air is a division of Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading provider of air medical services throughout the U.S. Native Air serves Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of west Texas, where it operates 21 helicopter bases and seven fixed wing air bases and employs more than 200 highly-trained medical and emergency response professionals. For more information, visit www.omniflight.com/nativeair.

Native Air's parent company, Omniflight Helicopters, operates approximately 100 aircraft nationally under various brand names, from bases in 18 states, with a strong presence across the Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast regions, as well as certain Mountain state areas. Its focus is primarily on inter-facility and on-site emergency scene response using both rotor- and fixed wing aircraft. For more information, visit www.omniflight.com.