AYER, MA — February 11th — A medical helicopter was asked by the Ayer Fire Department to transport a critically ill patient to the landing zone at Ayer Shirley Regional High School. The athletic fields were covered in heavy snow, making landing dangerous as the plane got closer. Together with the Ayer Police Department and school officials, firefighters removed and secured Page Hilltop School's playground and diverted the chopper. In order to be transported to the proper hospital, the patient was moved to UMass Memorial LifeFlight. The change just slightly disrupted things. A safe and effective air medical operation was made possible by coordinated communication. Later, the units were put back into operation.