From TVVFD Volunteer to Flight Nurse: A Full-Circle Visit

Last night, a Covenant Health Air medical helicopter visited Tellico Village for a special TVVFD training exercise. Members practiced establishing and managing a safe helicopter landing zone, while those training to become Emergency Medical Responders received a firsthand look at air-medical operations and the important role flight crews play in caring for critically ill and injured patients.

The evening also marked a special homecoming. Among the flight crew was Bradley Roccasalva (pictured front row, far right), son of Tanasi residents Jim & Trudy Roccasalva, whose healthcare career began with humble roots as a member of the TVVFD. From there, Bradley became an EMT, then a paramedic, later a nurse, and now serves as a flight nurse—bringing his journey full circle by returning to help train our newest responders.

The helicopter pictured is an Airbus H135 that was placed into service earlier this month. Manufactured in Germany, it has become one of the most widely used air-medical helicopters in Europe.

The TVVFD extends its sincere thanks to Covenant Health Air, in partnership with Air Methods, and the entire flight crew for spending time with our members and generously sharing their knowledge and experience.

While we hope our community never needs their services, this training helped ensure that the TVVFD will be even better prepared if that time comes.