February 2013, vol. 4 no. 2February 2013, vol. 4 no. 2

an air evac lifeteam employee publicationan air evac lifeteam employee publication

Sikeston, Mo., Pilots Fred Finnell, left, and George Smith, were honored on

January 16. The story and photos are on page 10.

Features

Looking to the Future ........................................................................ 3

Bonding Through Breast Cancer .................................................... 4-5

Two AEL Pilots Celebrate Milestones......................................... 10-11

Sections

Customer Surveys ............................................................................. 6

BRAVOS! .......................................................................................... 7

Policies and Procedures ................................................................ 8-9

Flight Wings ............................................................................... 12-15

Crews in the Community ............................................................ 16-27

Benefits Buzz ............................................................................. 28-29

As the Rotor Turns is published monthly by the Public Relations department

of Air Evac Lifeteam. Send submissions and comments to:

heavrinjulie@air-evac.com, or call 636-695-5365

Public Relations Manager

Julie Heavrin Public Relations Specialist

Shelly Schneider

Father of Injured Son is Thankful, and Looking to the Future

Air Evac Lifeteam crews are encouraged to leave service surveys with the

EMS, hospitals and health systems with which they work. The survey asks about

the recent interaction with our crews and professionals and for improvement

suggestions. This is what our customers say.

What our Customers SayWhat our Customers Say

Bravo! v. bravo To express approval of by shouting “bravo”

**NOTE – If a policy has nothing in italics, then only deletions were made**

The following policies have been revised:

CM-0001 – PAIP (Post Accident / Incident Plan) (changes in italics)

PS-TC0002 – Internal & Outreach Education (changes in italics)

PS-0004 – Medical Crew – Credentialing, Educational Training and Continuing

Education (changes in italics)

PS-TC0012 – Course Fees (Education) (changes in italics)

OP-0014 – Medical Crew Mental / Physical – Team Fatigue – Time Out (changes in

italics)

OP-0093 – Base Facilities Safety (changes in italics)

PS-TC0009 – AHA & PHTLS Course Completion Cards (changes in italics)

AV-0041 – Flight & Duty Time Limitations for Company Check Airman & Flight

Instructors (changes in italics)

AV-0051 – Life Preservers & Water Egress (changes in italics)

CM-0006 - Staff Meeting Attendance (changes in italics)

CM-0011 – Documentation During Computer Failure (changes in italics)

CM-0014 – Flight Following Procedures (changes in italics)

CM-0016 – In Flight Notifications (changes in italics)

CM-0018 – Central Communications Center Recurrent Training, Maintenance of

Licenses & Certifications (changes in italics)

CM-0022 – Interfacing with Other Air Medical Programs (changes in italics)

OP-0012 – Refilling of Onboard Medical Oxygen Bottle (changes in italics)

OP-0013 – Inclement Weather Operations / Aircraft Interior Climate Control (changes in italics)

OP-0015 – Flight Crew Record Documentation (changes in italics)

OP-0019 – Hearing Protection (changes in italics)

OP-0022 – Authorization / Consent Form (changes in italics)

OP-0025 – General Cleaning of Aircraft Equipment (changes in italics)

OP-0026 – Consent for Transport of Minors (changes in italics)

OP-0028 – Enhancing Rapid Interhospital Transport for Patients (changes in italics)

OP-0032 – Appropriate Response Time (changes in italics)

OP-0033 – Patient Destination from a Pre-Hospital Setting (changes in italics)

OP-0034 – Secure Scene (changes in italics)

OP-0045 – Unauthorized Equipment Use (changes in italics)

OP-0046 – Information Reports (changes in italics)

OP-0072 – Public Relations Flights (changes in italics)

OP-0078 – Hazardous Materials Operating Procedure (changes in italics)

OP-0084 – Flight Helmet Usage By Company Personnel (changes in italics)

OP-0087 – Criteria for Patients Flights (changes in italics)

OP-0088 – Reimbursement for Clinical Educational Activities (changes in italics)

OP-0098 – Reflective Safety Vest Use (changes in italics)

PS-0035 – Interview Process – Clinical Applicants (changes in italics)

OP-0119 – Medical Crew Shift Incentives (changes in italics)

OP-0119A – Scheduled Shift Incentive (EXCEL Doc) – contact person (email address

changed)

OP-0119B – Unscheduled Shift Incentive (EXCEL Doc) – contact person (email ad-

dress changed)

OP-0122 – Operations Training / Introductory Period (changes in italics)

AE-0050 – O’Fallon Inclement Weather Policy (changes in italics)

AE-0045 – Flammable Liquid Storage (changes in italics)

OP-0121 – Online Scheduling Program (EMS eSchedule) (changes in italics)

The following policy was deleted:

PS-0024 – Flight Paramedic to Flight RN Transition

The following policy is NEW:

OP-0123 – Medical Crew Rest

The following policies have a TITLE change / (.doc) change /

and TOC change

OP-0014 – NEW title – “Medical Crew Mental / Physical – Team Fatigue – Time Out” –

(OLD title was – “Medical Crew/Team Fatigue Mental/Physical”)

OP-0033 – New Title – “Patient Destination from a Pre-Hospital or Hospital Setting” --

(OLD title was --- “Patient Destination from a Pre-Hospital Setting”)

George Smith and Fred Finnell, pilots for the Air

Evac Lifeteam base in Sikeston, Mo., recently cele-

brated milestones in their careers. Smith was present-

ed with his 2000th flight wings, and Finnell was pre-

sented with his 3000th flight wings.

Smith and

Finnell are two

of four pilots at

the Sikeston

base. Jim Dam-

ron and Jeff

Kight also fly

for Air Evac

Lifeteam in

Sikeston. Flight

nurse Chuck

Groshong com-

mented on all of

the pilots.

“I cannot say

enough about all

our pilots,

George, Fred,

Jim, and Jeff,”

he said. “They

are all quality

men, pilots and

partners. There

are no other pi-

lots we could ever feel safer flying with than them.

Thank you for recognizing George and Fred for their

great accomplishments. That's a lot of prayers an-

swered and souls saved.”

Smith, a U.S. Army veteran, began flying for Air

Evac Lifeteam in 1998, while he was still with the

Army National Guard.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Air Evac Lifeteam mis-

sion,” he said. “I flew medevac in the military, and

that’s always been my favorite mission.”

Smith, an Egypt Mills resident, was on active

duty for seven years and in the Army National Guard

for 28 years. He retired from the Guard in 2007.

“George is a family man, a dedicated father and

husband,” Groshong said. “He is a man of few words,

but is honest and loyal. He sees great value in his

friends and

will do any-

thing for them.

George is a

hard worker,

and makes all

of us feel safe

and confident

– as do all of

our pilots.”

Fred

Sandegren,

regional direc-

tor of flight

operations for

Air Evac Life-

team, said

both men have

reached great

milestones in

their careers.

“They each

have tremen-

dous dedication, and take ownership in their base,”

Sandegren said. “It’s unusual that you have pilots

who stay with one employer for that many years, and

that says something about Air Evac Lifeteam.”

Fred Finnell said the Sikeston pilots have about 60

years combined tenure.

“We have flown thousands and thousands of pa-

tients,” Finnell said. “We have a good strong safety

culture at the base and we work well together.”

Finnell has been with Air Evac Lifeteam for nearly

22 years. He flew helicopters in eight of his 12 years

Two Air Evac Lifeteam Pilots Celebrate Milestones

Senior Director of Flight Operations Tony Bonham, right, presents Sikeston, Mo., Pilot George Smith, left, with his 2000th flight wings pin and presentation box.

Pilot Fred Finnell, center, earned his 3000th flight wings pin.

with the Arkansas Army National Guard. Finnell also

served as a deputy sheriff with the Shelby County

Sheriff’s Department in Memphis.

“Back then the helicopter pilot market was filled

with Vietnam-era pilots,” Finnell said. “Being an

EMS pilot was a coveted job, but they were difficult

to find. I heard about an upstart company in West

Plains, Mo.”

Finnell said he had his reservations about going to

work for Air Evac Lifeteam, because it was such a

young company.

“A lot of times those younger companies struggle

to make ends meet, and they may push the limits of

safety in order to get more flights,” he said. “I always

said if that happened to me I would leave the compa-

ny. I’m still here. In 22 years I’ve never been pushed

to do anything I didn’t think was right.”

Finnell said he still enjoys flying helicopters for

Air Evac Lifeteam.

“I like the fact that when you go into work you

never know what the day will hold,” he said. “It’s not

like flying tours. I may end up landing on a barge in

the middle of the Mississippi River. And I get to help

people in the process. I like that this matters…that I

make a difference.”

From left: President Seth Myers, Pilots George Smith and Fred Finnell, and Senior Director of Flight Operations Tony Bonham.

Ashley McClure, flight nurse at AE 88 in Harlan, Ky,

Jamie Cavanaugh, flight nurse at AE 23 in Troy, Mo.

Lindy Stephens, flight nurse at AE 106 in Demopolis, Ala.

Steven Blocker, base pilot supervisor at AE 77 in Troup Co., Ga.

Audrey O’Neil, flight nurse at AE 75 in Dyersburg, Tenn.

Brian Elleman, flight nurse at AE 89 in Brown County, Ohio

Derrek Gasser, flight paramedic at AE 19 in Lafayette, Tenn.

James Kellum, flight paramedic at AE 72 in Waynesboro, Tenn.

Joseph Percer, flight paramedic at AE 47 in LaGrange, Texas

Sammie Bradley-Haynes, flight paramedic at AE 62 in Bowling Green, Ky.

Kyle Falkner, flight nurse at AE 63 in Abilene, Texas

James Gossage, flight nurse at AE 14 in Albany, Ky.

Chad Campbell, flight paramedic at AE 70 in Woodward, Okla.

Ben Richards, flight nurse at AE 12 in Mountain Home, Ark.

Veronica Rothwell, flight nurse at AE 91 in Vidalia, Ga.

J. Hardwick, pilot at AE 106 in Demopolis, Ala.

Susan Willer, flight nurse at AE 27 in Springfield, Ill.

Marc Durocher, pilot at AE 16 in Tuscumbia, Ala.

Andrew Kelley, flight paramedic at AE 24 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Terry Guggisberg, flight paramedic at AE 92 in Breckinridge County, Ky.

Tami Kiefer, flight nurse at AE 3 in Sikeston, Mo.

Charles Robbins, flight nurse at AE 48 in Kerrville, Texas

Jacob Gaston, pilot at AE 54 in Big Springs, Texas

Kelly Gleason, flight nurse at AE 77 in Troup County, Ga.

Thomas McKinley, flight paramedic at AE 100 in Rayville, La.

Tammie Russell, flight nurse at AE 102 in Dublin, Ga.

Dennis Sturdivant, pilot at AE 45 in Fayette, Ala.

Phillip Cypert, program director at AE 4 in Springdale, Ark.

David Messerla, pilot at AE 8 in Farmington, Mo.

Douglas Moore, pilot at AE 51 in West, Texas

John Beasley, flight nurse at AE 75 in Dyersburg, Tenn.

Kurt Lindsley, flight paramedic at AE 81 in East Liverpool, Ohio

Randal Rees, pilot at AE 70 in Woodward, Okla.

Nicholas Smolen, base clinical lead at AE 105 in Whitley County, Ky.

Stacey Maltman, flight nurse at AE 88 in Harlan, Ky.

Michael Smith, flight nurse at AE 30 in Vilonia, Ark.

Christi Jordan, base clinical lead at AE 51 in West, Texas

Christopher Maniscalco, pilot at AE 19 in Lafayette, Tenn.

Bradley Childress, base pilot supervisor at AE 88 in Harlan, Ky.

David Hudson, pilot at AE 2 in Jonesboro, Ark.

Vincent Hendricksmeyer, pilot at AE 67 in Greenville, Texas

Membership Sales Drive

Congrats, Brooke!

Making the Rounds

Impact Ventilator Impact Ventilator

TrainingTraining

Meeting the Public

Food Pantry DonationFood Pantry Donation

Tabletop Disaster Drill

Landing Zone Class

Balloon Pump Training

New Member!

Spring Hill ER’s

First Helicopter Landing!

Ft. Madison, Iowa, base hosts Trauma Care Symposium

Take Heart!