Helicopter Fly-in Marks Official Opening of Middleton Helipad {video}
The City of Middleton officially opened its new helipad on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which included a fly-in and landing of a Hospital Wing helicopter. The new helipad in Middleton is one of six locations that is served by the Hospital Wing.
“We have bases in Brownsville, Jonesboro, Memphis, Oxford, and Selmer,” said Calen Murphey, Hospital Wing Program Director, who shared the benefit of the helipad to people in the community. “It allows us to come into a predesignated landing zone, that is safe. We can get in here faster and get out faster, so we can get them to better definitive higher level of care faster.”
The installation of the helipad is one which represents a long-standing vision shared by the City of Middleton Fire Chief Marcum, Middleton fire personnel, and Gary Parsons, a resident of the city and pilot for the Hospital Wing.
“I think this is a huge project for the size of the community to put in this effort to bring a pad, to move it out of City Park, which had lots of hazards, and to move us out to a large field. It gives us options to get into the wind and safely land. We don’t have to be forced into a small spot to land, which takes a lot of power and sometimes you don’t have that,” said Mr. Parsons, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Army helicopter pilot, who sees additional value in the new location. “There is a side to this that I don’t even think they thought about, but I have. If you ever have a mass casualty event somewhere, we are already out here. We know what the ground and obstacles are, and we have a pad to start with. All this road is paved for EMS. This place is already hazard free. It is a great location for it.”
City of Middleton officials as well as people from the community came out for the ribbon ceremony. Much praise was given to Chief Marcum as well as the community for their dedication to seeing the helipad project come to fruition.
Middleton Helipad Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Photo Gallery
Click arrow/swipe screen to see the slideshow.
“You do not see this level of commitment as a community,” said Mr. Murphey. “That says volumes for Middleton as an area. This is a huge step for you guys and a huge statement, by putting this dedication into ensuring their [Middleton] care and for the county.”
City of Middleton Mayor Evan Mott shared his appreciation.
“I want to thank the city, the board and especially Chief Marcum for making this come together and happen,” said Mayor Mott.
Plaques were presented to Chief Marcum, of the City of Middleton Fire Department, and Gary Parsons for their commitment to safety, which led to the installation of a helipad for the citizens and its first responders.
The helipad is located off of Pulse Road in Middleton.
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