Pride in their Flight: Medical First Responders During COVID-19

A day in the life of Michelle Hanson, a flight nurse for Airlift Northwest.

Photo Essay by Chase Hilden

Michelle Hanson- a flight nurse for Airlift Northwest- on call for an emergency that can come in at any moment.

Hanson opening the helicopter door to prepare for the next flight. Due to COVID-19, the airlift crew takes several hours to sanitize the helicopter after every flight, according to Hanson. This has drastically reduced the number of flights they can do per day.

The back part of the helicopter has two seats for the flight nurses and a bed placed close to the seats. The rest of the space is taken up by medical machines, oxygen tanks and other safety equipment. When flying, the two flight nurses will sit in the back seats and prepare to take care of the patient before they land.

Hanson standing in front of the recently purchased garden shed by Airlift Northwest. The shed was bought to safely store the personal protective equipment and sanitary aids in light of COVID-19.

One of the bedrooms inside the Airlift Northwest trailer. There are multiple bedrooms and a kitchen inside to accommodate the crew during their 24-hour shifts.

Hanson and another flight nurse preparing for a call they received from Point Roberts. The crew is not allowed to know the details of a call until they are in the air — according to Hanson, knowing the patient’s condition beforehand could make the crew act in an emotional manner and lead to poor judgment.

The helicopter pilot unplugging the medical equipment charger inside of the aircraft in preparation for an emergency in Point Roberts.

Two flight nurses walking to the helicopter to wait for takeoff.

The flight to Point Roberts was canceled after a few minutes. The crew begins to unpack supplies from the helicopter and return to their office.