The City of East Lansing’s Fire Department (ELFD) participated this week with the Metro Lansing Tower Rescue Team (MLTRT) in a helicopter training designed to allow newer team members to familiarize themselves with the aircraft, teach members how to set up a landing zone and work safely near the zone.
Members also performed “hot load” drills, which is the practice of boarding the helicopter while it is running for a quick response to incidents.
Roughly 30 area firefighters participated in the training, including four from East Lansing.
“This week’s training was a great opportunity for some of our newer members to get acclimated to approaching and boarding an aircraft while it is running,” said Captain Nate Floyd.
The MLTRT features trained personnel who perform rescues that might need to be done from communications towers throughout the state.