Skip to main content

Station Heli-Pad

Camas Valley Fire Department Helipad

Faster response. Safer transports. Stronger community.

Red emergency helicopter on a helipad in a grassy area.
Concrete helipad in a grassy field, surrounded by traffic cones with trees and a cloudy blue sky in the background.
A red ambulance and a helicopter are parked near each other on a sunny day.
A red and black helicopter with "REACH" on the side, lit by green lights, on a helipad at night.
Aerial view of a rural property with a helipad, large building, parked vehicles, and surrounding fields.
A red helicopter labeled "REACH" sits on a helipad at night, illuminated by green lights.
A person smooths wet concrete with a power trowel on a construction site, surrounded by trees and containers.
Red emergency helicopter on a helipad in a grassy area.
Concrete helipad in a grassy field, surrounded by traffic cones with trees and a cloudy blue sky in the background.
A red ambulance and a helicopter are parked near each other on a sunny day.
A red and black helicopter with "REACH" on the side, lit by green lights, on a helipad at night.
Aerial view of a rural property with a helipad, large building, parked vehicles, and surrounding fields.
A red helicopter labeled "REACH" sits on a helipad at night, illuminated by green lights.
A person smooths wet concrete with a power trowel on a construction site, surrounded by trees and containers.

 Why a Helipad Matters

When seconds count, air transport can be the difference between life and death. Our helipad allows medical helicopters to land safely in Camas Valley so patients can reach advanced care much faster than by road. It also supports wildfire operations and search-and-rescue when air resources are needed.

What It Took to Build

A true community project led by volunteers, neighbors, and local partners.

  • Planning & Siting
    • Chose a safe, accessible location near the fire station
    • Ensured clear approach/departure paths and adequate rotor clearance
    • Considered wind patterns, drainage, and ground bearing
  • Site Prep
    • Brush clearing and grading
    • Compaction and base rock to stabilize the pad area
    • Drainage swales to keep the surface dry
  • Pad & Markings
    • Reinforced hard surface suitable for helicopter skids
    • High-visibility “H” and perimeter markings for day operations
    • Windsock placed for pilot visibility
  • Safety & Operations
    • Defined landing zone (LZ) dimensions and keep-clear buffer
    • Night operations procedure (portable or vehicle lighting when authorized)
    • Radio/phone coordination checklist for incoming aircraft
    • Debris and FOD (foreign object) sweeps before/after landings
  • People & Support
    • Volunteer firefighters and community members donated labor
    • Local businesses contributed materials and equipment use
    • Fundraising and in-kind donations reduced the cost burden on our district

The Impact Today

  • Faster patient transport: Cuts critical minutes off travel to trauma, cardiac, and stroke centers
  • Fire & rescue support: Staging point during wildfire events and SAR operations
  • Community resilience: A permanent resource built by and for Camas Valley