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HELICOPTERS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Guardian: Author / Reviewer: Version Number: Version 1.0 approved by CC on: Current version due for review on: Suitable for Publication Scheme: ECHR Compliant: Diversity Compliant: Data Protection Compliant: FOI Compliant: Health & Safety Compliant: GPMS Compliant:

Head of Specialist Services Division Inspector, Emergency Planning 5.0 25.10.2006 25.10.2011 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Contents
Contents .........................................................................................................2 1. Introduction.............................................................................................3 2. Aims.........................................................................................................3 3. Application ..............................................................................................3 4. Legal and Other References ..................................................................3 5. Procedures ..............................................................................................3 5.1 Police Air Support Unit ...................................................................3 5.2 Use of Helicopters for Ambulance Purposes................................4 5.3 Designated Hospital Landing Sites................................................4 5.4 Designated Landing Site, Fife Constabulary HQ. .........................4 5.5 Use of Helicopters and Other Aircraft in Emergencies ................4 5.6 Personal Safety................................................................................5 5.7 Selecting & Marking a Temporary Landing Sites .........................6 5.8 Helicopter Landings at Night..........................................................6 5.9 Helicopter Landings on Roads......................................................6 5.10 Preservation of Evidence and Danger from Disturbed Debris. ...7 5.11 Forced Landing of a Royal Helicopter ...........................................7 6. Related Documents ................................................................................7

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1.

Introduction

Helicopters, whether from the Police Air Support Unit or the military services, can be of invaluable assistance in a number of policing situations including pursuits, public order control and the saving of life. Moreover, the police may be called upon to assist in the preparation of landing sites for helicopters being used for ambulance or other emergency purposes.

2.

Aims

This document aims to give police officers and relevant support staff general guidance on the most common types of police involvement with helicopters.

3.

Application

The application of the contents of this document is mandatory for all police officers and support staff of Fife Constabulary who may be involved in the procedures it describes.

4.

Legal and Other References

The procedures described in this document are founded on the provisions of: The Police (Scotland) Act 1967 The Human Rights Act 1998 The Civil Contingencies Act 2004

5.
5.1

Procedures
Police Air Support Unit

The Strathclyde Police Air Support Unit can provide valuable assistance to Fife Constabulary in a variety of situations, particularly those involving vehicle pursuits or landward searches. So far as prolonged vehicle pursuits are concerned, air support will allow personnel on the ground to relax their pace as the helicopter crew will be in a much safer and better position than a car crew to advise all involved of the suspect vehicles progress. With searches, the helicopter can cover vast areas of open land in relatively short periods of time and enables its crew to see on to rooftops and into ditches, alleyways and backyards that may be hidden from sight at ground level. All requests for the attendance in Fife of the Police Air Support Unit should be made through the Force Contact Centre (FCC). 3 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

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5.2

Use of Helicopters for Ambulance Purposes

The Royal Air Force and the Admiralty have agreed arrangements with Health Boards for use of service helicopters for ambulance work in cases of serious illness, where no other suitable transport is available. The responsibility for calling on the assistance of a service helicopter in these circumstances rests with the attendant medical practitioner. The doctor will contact a nominated representative of the Regional Health Board who in turn will contact the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Kinloss (ARCC) and inform them of the circumstances.

5.3

Designated Hospital Landing Sites

The designated landing site for the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, is at the southeast corner of Dunnikier Park, Dunnikier Way, Kirkcaldy, at a part opposite the Ambulance Depot. The grid reference is: 280 938 (OS Sheet No. 59). There is no designated landing site for the Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline. If a helicopter is expected to arrive at Dunnikier Park, Kirkcaldy, the FCC will immediately arrange to have the landing site attended by police officers (see 5.6).

5.4

Designated Landing Site, Fife Constabulary HQ.

The grass area on the north side of Police HQ, between the HQ building and the firearms range, is a designated landing site for military helicopters. In any instance where the military require to land a helicopter on this site, whether for training purposes or during a real event, the FCC Inspector will be contacted and informed of this intention. In advance of the landing, the FCC Inspector should ensure that the area is checked thoroughly and cleared of any debris, which could cause damage or injury. In advance of any helicopter landing, an information message to all HQ staff should be relayed over the HQ Tannoy system.

5.5

Use of Helicopters and Other Aircraft in Emergencies

The police may seek the assistance of military helicopters or other service aircraft in an emergency, where life is at stake, through the Military Aid to the Civil Community scheme. No charge is normally made for use of military Search and Rescue Helicopters where life is at risk. If a situation arises that appears to justify the use of a military helicopter, the officer in charge at the scene should make a request for such assistance to the FCC. 4 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED The FCC will contact the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Kinloss (ARCC) on 01343 836020/1. The following information will be passed to the ARCC at the time of the initial callout. Nature of incident, Location of incident including grid reference, Weather conditions at locus (cloud base, wind direction and speed, visibility, rain snow etc), Contact details for Police (name and contact telephone number), Hazards at locus, Other services at locus including other helicopters.

Communication with the helicopter can be achieved via the coastguard on 123.1 MHz or VHF FM Ch 0 or 16. When on the ground the SAR crew should have communications on Airwave. It should be borne in mind that in the case of coastal searches or rescues the Coastguard might be able to deploy one of their vehicles in the vicinity and have a Police Officer join them to achieve direct communication with the helicopter. If there is no coastguard involvement then communications with the aircrew can be achieved by telephoning the ARCC who will relay messages between the police and aircrew.

5.6

Personal Safety

In order to avoid injury whilst boarding, disembarking or operating in close proximity to a helicopter, officers and staff should adhere to the following guidelines: Prior to arrival of the helicopter, remove headgear and ensure all clothing, equipment and items in pockets are secure. Keep the landing area free of loose articles. Never approach or leave the helicopter until given clearance to do so by a member of the helicopter crew. Approach or leave the helicopter in a crouching manner for additional clearance from the main rotor. If blinded by blowing objects, stop, crouch lower or, better still, sit down and await help. Carry all tools horizontally, below waist level-never upright over the shoulder. If on sloping ground, approach or leave the helicopter on the downhill side to avoid the main rotor. Approach or leave the helicopter in the pilots field of view to avoid the tail rotor. 5 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED When directing a helicopter for landing, stand with the your back to the wind, with arms outstretched and facing towards the landing site. Do as the crew request.

5.7

Selecting & Marking a Temporary Landing Sites

Notwithstanding the presence of the designated Victoria hospital landing site described above, and others that are in place at specific locations such as Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay, officers may be required to select and mark temporary landing sites elsewhere to meet particular exigencies. The rules for selecting and marking landing sites for helicopters are as follows: An area of at least 30 metres in diameter with level and firm ground will be required. The surface should be free of small obstructions and should not have loose gravel, stones or other objects that might be lifted by the down draught of wind from the rotors. Avoid selecting landing sites near high obstructions such as buildings, overhead wires or trees, especially in the upwind and downwind directions from the touchdown point. If possible, the area should be indicated to the pilot by positioning a police vehicle or an ambulance at the extremity of the landing site and having a beacon illuminated on a vehicle. Alternatively, a person wearing a high visibility jacket positioned at the extremity of the site would suffice. The helicopter crew will select the best position to land.

5.8

Helicopter Landings at Night

The following are the minimum requirements for a helicopter landing at night. Clear, level and firm area at least a 100metres square ideally about the size of a football field. The area should be clear of overhead cables, trees and tall buildings. A police vehicle should be positioned at the corner of the temporary landing site with its blue light illuminated (headlights off as military aircrew operate with night vision goggles).

The pilot will carry out an airborne reconnoitre of the area prior to making an approach to land.

5.9

Helicopter Landings on Roads

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has agreed guidelines governing procedures for helicopter landings on roads. These allow helicopter-borne emergency services to fulfil their function while maintaining public safety. The Police have overall responsibility for scene management in such circumstances, with control and safety of road users being a primary police responsibilities. 6 NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Helicopters will not be permitted to land on a public road unless the following requirements are complied with: Wherever possible, the pilot should land the helicopter adjacent to the road. The site must be secured by the Police, preventing vehicles and persons from entering the area. Prior to landing, communications must take place between the pilot and Police to confirm that the road is secure and the pilot has authority to exercise their discretion to land. Time spend on the ground should be kept to a minimum and sufficient only to fulfil the emergency function. During the helicopter operation, any unaffected carriageway should also be secured and closed to road users.

5.10 Preservation of Evidence and Danger from Disturbed Debris.

Police Officers at the scene of any helicopter landing must be aware of the effect of downwash on loose articles or debris. This is of particular importance where articles are of evidential value. The preservation of such evidence and damage presented by loose debris should be taken into account before a helicopter lands.

5.11 Forced Landing of a Royal Helicopter

In the event of the forced landing of a helicopter carrying a member of the Royal Family, the equerry in attendance will contact the police regarding any transport arrangements and security measures that are required. The FCC will ensure that appropriate action is taken and will direct force resources accordingly. At the conclusion of the incident, a report covering the full circumstances will be submitted to the Deputy Chief Constable for transmission to The Scottish Government.

6.

Related Documents

The following Force documents are linked to this one: Crime Management & Investigation Policy Occurrences Investigation Policy Major Incidents & Emergencies - Standard Operating Procedures FCC - Standard Operating Procedures Health & Safety - Standard Operating Procedures Vehicle Pursuits - Standard Operating Procedures.

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