The more the merrier, when it comes to landing zones

It’s important to most in the Holcombe area community, to have a safe and reliable landing zone for emergency heilcopters, and since plans are in the works to construct one on the Chippewa and Rusk county line, a $1,850 donation was made by Silent Waters Campground, to help the project along. Campers gave $925 for the project and the owners matched that amount. Present for the donation to project committee member Tony Fasbender (second from right), were campground owners Bill and Deb Kochevar; their grandson, Logan; Derek Olson, who spearheaded the fundraising and collection; Trevor and Sarah Gillett; and Kerry and Tammy Mahal, who helped with collecting the donations. Submitted Photo

By Ginna Young

The community has spoken and the overwhelming message they’re sending, is to go forward with a certified emergency helicopter landing pad, on the Chippewa and Rusk county line in Holcombe. The permanent site has a 99-year lease, thanks to siblings/business owners Tom and Anna Rocque, who signed over the land for fire department/ambulance use.

As an EMS on-call, T. Rocque sees first-hand, how many accidents require an airlift to a hospital, when time is of the essence.

“We’ve had a lot of bad accidents in that immediate vicinity,” he said.

When needed and conditions are right, the choppers land on property in back of Rocque Ridge Guides & Outfitters, but T. Rocque was concerned over the uneven surface of the grass-covered area. So, he posted on social media, that he wanted to borrow a skid steer to even out the plain. Well, he got way more response than ever expected.

Private community members and business professionals alike, promised donations of not only monetary value, but also labor and ideas. The project blossomed from there and a planning committee was formed, to narrow down the scope of what the project will entail.

That committee met July 11, to review quotes from paving companies, regulations and airlift preferences.

Based on what LifeLink – the most used airlift in this area – provided, landing pads are mostly blacktopped, not concrete, but the group wants to explore all options. It should be noted, that no matter what material is used, it will require maintenance and upkeep, such as crack filling and sealing.

With that in mind, initial quotes for concrete came in at around $60,000, while blacktop was somewhat less. The committee agreed to have a thicker surface, with appropriate grading and base, and are waiting for additional expanded quotes. So far, about $20,000 has already been raised for the project and hopes are to raise over the final needed amount, whatever that turns out to be.

“It’d be nice to build ourselves a considerable nest egg for upkeep and maintenance,” said committee chairman Kody Morfoot.

The committee also agreed on expanding the space for the pad, so dimensions will be a 70’x70’ landing area; 100’x100’ total safe area, free of all obstruction (buildings/trees/power lines); and a 12’x20’ taxiway. Admittedly, as time goes on, helicopters are getting bigger each time they are replaced.

“You want as much room as possible,” said T. Rocque. “We want it to be as safe as possible.”

There are eight designated landing pads located in the 240 square miles of coverage provided by the Cornell Area Fire Department district, with three of those accessible year-round.

“There should be one every five miles,” said committee member Tony Fasbender.

While the land lease agreement involves the Cornell and Sheldon fire departments, the Rocque Ridge landing zone would primarily serve the Town of Willard in Rusk County. That section of Holcombe, is an extremely high-traffic area, and for those from out of town, some of the winding roads and intersections can be confusing.

Numbers also show that distracted driving is increasing, leading to more crashes and deaths on Wisconsin roadways, each year. Minutes and seconds saved in a situation such as that, can mean life or death.

And, it’s not just accidents that require an airlift. Adults and children are at risk for cardiac arrest, causing more of a demand in a recreational area, for emergency services.

“I bet it would be shocking to people, if they knew how many helicopters are coming out of these areas,” said T. Rocque.

Having a designated landing zone also means the fire department doesn’t have to shut down roads while waiting for the chopper to land, as that can cause more accidents.

“A pre-designated landing pad means less emergency personnel need to stand in traffic, and gives the EMS and flight crews a safe place to provide care, and prep, before lifting off,” said Cornell Fire Chief Matt Boulding. “Highway 27 is very busy on both sides of the county line, for emergency services.”

Cornell was called out nine times in 2022, to set up a landing zone; they’ve already met that number this year, and combined with the Sheldon Fire Department, five times this summer, the patients would have benefited from a nearby landing pad.

There’s no fear the Rocque Ridge landing pad will be unavailable, as it can only be used for emergency purposes and for annual helicopter emergency training exercises. If a private aircraft gets involved, it needs Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensing.

If anyone wants to donate time or labor, or has more questions about the project, they can contact Morfoot, at 715-864-5354. The committee is still seeking and accepting bids, on labor and materials, such as grading, gravel base, forms, pouring or complete projects.

Those who wish to donate monetarily, can drop off cash or a check at Citizens State Bank in Cornell, by noting it is for the Holcombe Landing Pad, with checks made payable to the Lake Holcombe Resort and Business Association (LHRBA).

Donations can also be mailed to the LHRBA, who set up the fund and will oversee it, at 24729 270th St., Holcombe, WI 54745.

As time goes on, the committee plans to have more chances to educate the public on why such a thing is needed in the community, but wanted to get the word out about what is in the works.

“Being prepared for these possibilities, is what the volunteers of our emergency services train for,” said Fasbender. “We, as a community, can also help, by providing things like the landing pad, that will help them save the lives of our families and others that may require medical care, when traveling through the area.”