(Video) Local fire departments attend training event with State Troopers Aviation unit

Firefighters took to the sky Monday, March 28 as part of a search and rescue training event.

Firefighters from multiple Shelby County fire departments participated in simulated rescue scenarios involving helicopters around Sports Blast on U.S. 280. The event was aimed at familiarizing agencies with the state’s resources as well as with multiple rescue scenarios.

“We never want you to hesitate in calling us,” said Cpl. Kent Smith, of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Smith added that it does not cost a department anything to call the State Troopers Aviation unit, and they would rather be called into scenarios sooner rather than later.

“Just look at us as another tool in your kit,” Smith said.

During the all-day event, Smith and other safety officials reviewed search and rescue for adults and adolescents, extraction of injured victims in remote wooded areas, communication via radio with air crews and assistance with fire suppression in wooded areas. While there were no fires simulated during the morning session, Smith noted the aviation unit has a "bambi" bucket that can be used to carry water and douse a fire from overhead.

The simulations involved sending volunteer “patients” into the woods and going through the steps to secure them with the proper equipment and transport them through the air via helicopter.

After the rescue groups were sent out, Capt. Tim Lawson of Hoover Fire Department went over safety tips for search and rescue missions. One point Lawson made was to utilize the resources around you, whether that is a resident who knows the area very well or someone who knows the missing person.

He also said all missing persons act differently, noting a child who has wandered off will act differently than an Alzheimer’s patient who wandered off.

Participating departments included Cahaba Valley, Rocky Ridge, Chelsea, Calera, Hoover, Harpersville, Westover and Briarfield fire departments. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Aviation unit, Shelby County Aviation unit, Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, Shelby County 911, DEC restoration, Shelby County AMAS (Alabama Mutual Aid System) Teams and Chelsea COPs also participated.