Date: Fri 21-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Garner-Lifestar-DOC-health

Full Text:

All In The Name Of Good Health -

High Drama At Garner Prison

It's Health Month For The

Department Of Corrections

The flight crew of the Lifestar helicopter demonstrated features of the air

evacuation ambulance on the afternoon of March 13 in a field near the state's

Garner Correctional Institution, a high-security prison on Nunnawauk Road. The

Lifestar crew displayed the flying ambulance as part of the state Department

of Correction's (DOC) health month activities for DOC staff members at Garner.

-Bee Photos, Gorosko

Correction officers and their families watched from a rise near Garner

Correctional Institution as the helicopter approached from the south on a

clear, breezy March 13, making a distinctive "pocka-pocka-pocka" sound.

Slowly and deliberately, the Lifestar helicopter settled to ground, landing at

the corner of a parking lot just south of the prison.

While the scene was something out of the movies, there was no breakout, no

cellblock takeover, no emergency whatsoever. The chopper came to Garner as

part the state Department of Correction's (DOC) health month activities for

its personnel.

Garner Deputy Warden Richard Miele said the health month activities are

worthwhile events which provide valuable information to DOC staff members

about health services.

Mr Miele waited with Garner personnel as the helicopter approached and landed.

A program on the Lifestar helicopter airborne ambulance service was presented

inside the high security prison just before the mid-afternoon landing.

After the helicopter was on the ground with its engines turned off, correction

officers approached it to check out the machine and talk with members of its

flight crew.

Crew members explained how the helicopter works and showed how it is equipped

with extensive medical supplies to help the seriously injured patients it

transports for advanced medical treatment of traumatic injuries.