WILLIAMSPORT, OH — Southwest Pickaway Fire District and WADES EMS have officially broken ground on a new life-saving helicopter pad, a project designed to drastically improve emergency response and trauma transport in the West Pickaway County region.
The helipad, located at the department’s new firehouse on State Route 22, represents the next major step in strengthening rural emergency care. The firehouse, which opened in June 2024, was funded through a $1.8 million levy approved by local voters in 2022, which included the entire firehouse — a community investment that continues to pay dividends.
From the beginning, the department planned to include a designated and approved landing zone for medical helicopters such as Air Evac and MedFlight. Officials say the helipad will save precious minutes during critical emergencies when every second counts.
In rural areas like ours, many of our firefighters and EMS providers are volunteers who also work full-time jobs. During major incidents like serious vehicle crashes, we’re often stretched thin. Having a dedicated, pre-approved helicopter landing site means we can call for air transport immediately — without diverting responders to secure a landing zone.
The helipad will allow emergency crews to transport critically injured patients directly from the station to hospitals in Columbus or other trauma centers, cutting down on on-scene coordination time and improving survival odds.
The project was made possible through a generous donation from the Bo Dunlap Foundation, whose support helped bring the long-planned vision to life.
Local leaders joined the department this week for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Ohio State Senators Michelle Reynolds and Kelli Johnson, and District Director for U.S. Congressman David Taylor. The new helipad is the first dedicated helicopter landing pad west of the Scioto River in Pickaway County, marking a historic milestone for the region’s emergency services.
