Operations Bulletin: Landing Zone Safety

April 8, 2026

LifeFlight of Maine is asking for assistance from EMS departments and first responders to help keep personnel, patients, and vehicles safe during helicopter operations.

LifeFlight teams have recently reported several near-miss incidents involving vehicles and our helicopters. LifeFlight helicopters require a landing zone that is approximately 100 feet by 100 feet. No emergency personnel, vehicles, or bystanders should enter that landing zone space, or be in motion around it, while an aircraft is arriving or departing. All emergency vehicles and personnel should remain stationary until the aircraft has landed, the aircraft has fully shut down, and our crew signals that it is safe to approach.

Please encourage your colleagues to maintain a safe distance from our aircraft, and be vigilant about bystanders. Wait for direction from a LifeFlight crew member—via verbal instruction or clear hand signals—before moving any vehicles or personnel within the landing zone.

After the helicopter departs, the landing zone needs to remain clear and secure for 2-3 minutes. In the event of an emergency or difficulties, the helicopter may have to return to the secure area. For this reason, please keep open communications with the helicopter or dispatch.

LifeFlight is just one link in the chain of survival. When the entire EMS community works together, we improve outcomes for critically ill and injured patients across Maine. Thank you for working with us to get patients the medical care they need, and for helping us keep everyone safe in the process.

For more specific information about landing zone preparation and scene safety when working with LifeFlight aircraft, we encourage you to contact us about scheduling a Ground Safety and User Course for your department. You can find more information about the course, which is offered at no cost, here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to LifeFlight’s Safety Coordinators: