November 3, 2012

People in one part of Maury County are safer if there's ever an emergency.
    
A new helipad has just been dedicated, and it's all thanks to a 16 year old Eagle Scout.

It's often said, in an emergency every second counts.
   
That's why Kyle Upchurch's Eagle Scout project is truly a life saver.

The new helipad in Maury County will serve the rural Mynders and McCains communities.

"Very impressed with what I could do, you can do anything you put your mind to," says Kyle Upchurch.

When Kyle found out a helipad was needed, he set out to raise money.
   
He collected more than $13,000 and spent a year building from the ground up.    

"It's a lot involved in getting stuff prepared, and it takes a lot of leadership to get it done," says Upchurch.

Kyle's parents say their 16 year old son has always been a go-getter.  This project proves it.

"When somebody says they need something, I'm there is what he would say.  Let him know, he'll go," says Kyle's mother Sheryl Upchurch.

The captain of the local fire department knows the helipad will improve safety.

"I thought it was the greatest thing since slice bread," says Capt. Duane Winningham with the Mynders Volunteer Fire Department.

Vanderbilt Lifeflight has no trouble landing here. 
   
Everything was designed to meet specific requirements.

"It has been surveyed, it has been identified, it has got lighting, it has got a windsock," says flight nurse Michael Gooch.

If there's ever an emergency, Kyle says there's no need to set up a temporary landing zone.

"So you want it to be done, and that way all you do is flip a switch and the lights will be on," says Upchurch.

Kyle is glad to know his Eagle project will help his community, and in the end, may just make the difference is someone's life.

"To help save minutes, and seconds off people's lives," says Upchurch.

Maury County has a history of hard working Eagle Scouts.
   
Another scout built a helipad in the Culleoka community.

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