But not all are thrilled with prospect of noise from helicopter at Burlington airport
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Flight for Life emergency medical helicopter service looks to expand its operation into the City of Burlington under a series of proposals the Common Council plans to consider in September.
The Common Council on Tuesday learned about the proposals, and resolutions, primarily consisting of Flight for Life leasing hangars at Burlington Municipal Airport to conduct its operations.
Flight for Life, a Waukesha-based nonprofit launched in 1984, offers multiple emergency services with trained paramedics including around-the-clock helicopter transportation to regional hospitals such as Froedtert and Children’s Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.
The emergency services allow for more rapid response to critical incidents such as automobile crashes to area hospitals.
Additionally, the nonprofit group provides ground service to communities, if weather does not permit air travel.
Carina Walters, City Administrator, said Burlington and Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and Flight for Life, have continuously worked together through partnerships to provide the area with enhanced patient care.
Walters said Flight for Life approached city officials about the prospect of running a 24-hour, seven days a week helicopter operation at the Burlington Municipal Airport.
“The short term goal is allowing FFL to operate out of a current hangar in hopes of building a future hangar at the Burlington Municipal Airport,” Walters wrote in a memorandum, in which she also said the long-term goal is to provide the best patient care possible to Burlington and surrounding area.
Fire Chief Alan Babe called the proposed partnership advantageous to the city because Flight for Life would offer high quality care.
Additionally, with advanced life support service nearby, paramedics of Flight for Life would help train and educate fire department staff members as needed.
“I think this is a great benefit for the long-term,” Babe said.
Council, resident concerns
Some council members, and residents, had concerns about noise coming from the Flight for Life helicopter at the Burlington Municipal Airport.
District 3 Alderman Steve Rauch questioned Erickson what the peak times of service would look like.
He was told helicopter services are typically needed most between the hours of 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Bob Grandi, of District 2, remembered past instances where residents complained about the sounds of aircraft from the airport.
“I am concerned about the impact on residents,” he said.
Burlington resident Jackie Schneider, who lives near the airport, doesn’t believe the neighborhood can handle hearing Flight for Life deploy hundreds of times.
She told the Common Council the helicopter noise would likely wake her up and asked Flight for Life if it looked at other options.
“Has anybody looked at bigger airports? Racine and Kenosha have huge airports,” she said.
Leif Erickson, executive director of Flight for Life, said the organization explored airports in Racine and Kenosha before deciding on Burlington because of its centralized location.
Additionally, he said, Flight for Life dealt with similar concerns several years ago in Waukesha, but resolved the concerns without issue.
To read the full version of this story see the Aug. 19 edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
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