PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – Construction is underway for a helipad at the Blairs Volunteer Fire Department in Pittsylvania County.
The department began thinking about installing a helipad in 2015 when responding to a call in which a patient had to be driven about 20 miles to be put in a helicopter at Centra Hospital in Gretna because a helicopter could not land anywhere closer.
Now, thanks to a grant from Centra and donations from local companies, the helipad is able to be built.
"I think the need is what determines it and we looked at it and decided that there was enough call volume that we were in need of it," said Fire Chief Dean Fowler.
Construction is expected to be finished sometime in October.