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Thu Aug 28 20:13:35 BST 2008

http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/08/spectrum_plans_to_keep_and_enl.html
Spectrum plans to keep and enlarge rooftop helistop after crash by The Grand
Rapids Press Thursday August 28, 2008, 10:34 AM

GRAND RAPIDS -- Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital today announced plans
to keep the helistop atop the hospital but enlarge and improve the landing
pad, the site of a spectacular Aero Med helicopter crash on May 29.

The plans are meant to improve safety, fire suppression and wind turbulence
control, with the biggest change coming with the installation of a platform
raised several feet above the existing roof to allow for two
60-foot-by-60-foot landing zones.

Aero Med, now using a temporary landing site in a parking lot at 522
Plymouth Ave. NE, could begin landing medical helicopters on the roof by
early November, hospital officials said today.

According to the proposed plans, the raised platform will be slightly larger
than the existing roof and will allow wind traveling up the side of the
building to also flow underneath the platform, decreasing air turbulence.

Other improvements planned are to install horizontal aluminum safety netting
several feet beyond the platform, an emergency exit to the floor below for
each landing zone, a fuel-water separator tank to catch all liquid run-off
from the helistop and an upgraded fire suppression system that can be
activated from either landing zone as well as other areas near the
elevators.

"We worked with consultants and contractors to develop a plan focused on
safety and ease of use for our helistop," said Matt Van Vranken, president
of Spectrum Health Hospital Group.

Hospital officials said they believe the rooftop still is the best site for
Aero Med landings, even after the crash.
"This is the best site for quick access to trauma care and other critical
care services," said Ralph Rogers, Aero Med medical director. "Rooftop
landing sites are standard across the air medical care community."

-- 
Stephen L. Richey, CRT
Aviation Injury Research Project Leader
Saginaw Valley State University
Work E-mail: slrichey at svsu.edu
Home Office Phone: 248-366-4452

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."- George S.
Patton

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