The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department held a HALO-Flight training by presenting landing zone tips to many local fire departments Tuesday. Local fire departments from the surrounding area including Premont, Sarita, Sandia, NAS Kingsville, Kleberg County Fire/Rescue, and Nueces County Fire District 4 attended a HALOFlight landing zone class sponsored by the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department Tuesday at the J.K Northway Coliseum.

Walter Gibson, a flight paramedic with HALOFlight, presented tips to help identify hazards unique to helicopter EMS operations and landing zone safety.

“We wanted to come together as a unit and build a better relationship with our first responders so that when they are on the ground and we are in the air we can communicate better and help eliminate potential obstacles,” Gibson said.

This is the second training the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department has held regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Services.

Rookie Volunteer Firefighters are close to completion of their training and have accumulated over 80 hours in exercises with ladders and self-contained breathing apparatuses. Pictured L-R is Leonard Gathright, Dominic Rollins, and Ricky Salinas with Training Coordinator Scott Ellis. “We are trying to have at least one training a year,” Rick Salinas, Kingsville Volunteer Fire Chief said. “It has proven to be very valuable preparation for what may happen out in the field and we hope to keep it going in the future.”

In operations since 1987 and based in Corpus Christi, HALO-Flight is a non-profit organization established to provide the quickest response time for transporting the critically ill and injured.

“In emergency situations there is very little time for first responders and HALO-Flight personnel to communicate so taking time out like this to get everyone situated and familiar with protocol can be very beneficial in the future,” Scott Ellis, Training Coordinator for the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department said.

HALO-Flight works hand-in-hand with regional hospitals, EMS and law enforcement agencies to provide the highest quality care available.

“I am glad to be here and help inform and assist our first responders with any questions they may have in order to increase awareness and ultimately get the patient to medical care as soon as possible,” Gibson said.

HALO-Flight’s service area covers 26 counties, 28,000 square miles and a population of more than 1.2 million.

The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department is constantly growing and recruiting new volunteers.

Three rookie volunteer firefighters, who have accumulated over 80 hours in training, will be sent to training in the Rio Grande Valley to complete Phases 1&2 of training.

“Once they complete this training they will be able to participate in assisting the Kingsville Fire Department to fight fires and other emergencies,” Salinas said.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter with the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department can pick up an application at the main Kingsville Fire Station located at 119 North Tenth Street.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and be able to attend training twice a month.

Salinas said that although the volunteers are not paid, they do receive benefits, workers compensation, and retirement.

For more information contact Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Salinas at (361) 592- 3555 or (361) 634-9444.