RAINELLE W.Va. (WVDN) – The Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department (RFD) is excited to announce that it will be building a dedicated helipad for medical transport helicopters. The helipad will be located on a parcel of land donated by the Town of Rainelle.
The RFD has been working for several years to secure a dedicated helipad for the community. Currently, the department relies on the United States Army Reserve Center in Rainelle, but this site is not always available due to other activities. A dedicated helipad will ensure that medical transport helicopters can land and take off quickly and safely, which is essential for saving lives in critical situations.
In 2022, the RFD responded to 63 aircraft standby calls, which is an average of 5.25 calls per month. Not every aircraft standby call results in a flight, but the number of helicopter landings is still significant. A dedicated helipad will reduce the amount of time it takes for patients to receive definitive care, as they will no longer need to be transported to another landing zone if one in Rainelle is not available.
The RFD is committed to providing the best possible service to the community. The construction of a dedicated helipad is a major step towards achieving this goal. The department is grateful to the D.K. Cales Trust and the Town of Rainelle for their support of this important project.
Benefits of a Dedicated Helipad
- Reduced transport time for patients
- Increased access to life-saving medical care
- Improved safety for patients and medical personnel
- Reduced stress and anxiety for patients and their families
How to Support the Project
Any questions or concerns about the project should be directed to Chief Matthew Osborne by emailing rainellefire@rainellefire.com or message the department’s Facebook page. Additionally, more information is available in the comments of the Facebook post containing the initial announcement.
The RFD thanks the community for its support of this important project.
