Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label MD State Police Medevac Command. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD State Police Medevac Command. Show all posts

Monday, June 22, 2009

State Police Helicopters Rescue 12 From Raging River

NEWS RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND STATE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS: PIKESVILLE, MD 21208
(410)486-3101 TTY For Hearing Impaired (410)486-0677
Toll Free: 1-800-525-5555
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2009

STATE POLICE HELICOPTERS RESCUE 12 FROM RAGING RIVER

(Harpers Ferry, WVA) – One dozen people, most of whom were children, are likely tired but thankful this morning after they were rescued from the raging waters of the Shenandoah River late last night when two Maryland State Police helicopters appeared out of the darkness and hoisted them to safety.

The stranded victims are said to have included ten children and two adults, ranging in age from four to 41 years old. The Maryland State Police does not have the identity of the victims. They were released to the care of the Friendship Fire Department from Jefferson County West Virginia after they were rescued.

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. yesterday, Jefferson County Fire and Rescue received a call from someone who heard people screaming for help in the Shenandoah River near Bull Falls, not far from Harpers Ferry. The Friendship Fire Department responded to the scene and found that the raging waters and large number of rocks in the river at that location prevented any type of rescue by boat or rope line. The fire department called for help from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.

Trooper 3 from Frederick was dispatched to the scene with Pilot Russ Zullick and flight paramedic Sergeant Donald Lehman on board. When the crew arrived on scene, they called for Trooper 5 from Cumberland to assist with hoist operations.

The scene was dark and dangerous. A mountain was on one side of the river bank and trees were along the river on the other side. There were also trees growing from rock islands in the middle of the river.

Using their spotlight to illuminate the area below, the crew of Trooper 3 began their rescues with victims clinging to a rock that was only one foot above the river rapids. The children were being splashed by the water and appeared to be in imminent danger of hypothermia and exposure. Hovering over the scene, Pilot Zullick and Sgt. Lehman dropped the rescue basket to the rocks four times and hoisted five victims into the helicopter. The victims were flown to an elementary school in Harpers Ferry where they were turned over to fire and EMS personnel.

Trooper 5 from Cumberland arrived on the scene, with the crew of Pilot Scott Russell, Training Pilot Chris Pysz, and flight paramedic Trooper First Class Larry Levasseur. Also on board were two members of the Cumberland Fire Department HEAT Team who are trained in aerial rescue operations.

While Trooper 3 was off-loading patients, the crew of Trooper 5 took over rescue operations for the remaining victims. TFC Levasseur repeatedly dropped the rescue basket to the victims clinging to rocks throughout the river. Three more victims were taken to the landing zone for treatment and Trooper 5 returned to the river and hoisted the remaining four victims to safety.

All the victims are expected to survive their ordeal. It is believed the group had been rafting or tubing in the river when the fast moving rapids caused them to become stranded on the rocks.

CONTACT: Greg Shipley
Office of Media Communications
410-653-4236


Friday, October 17, 2008

The Future of Maryland Medevac in The Tentacle by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 10, 2008

The Future of Maryland Medevac in The Tentacle by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 10, 2008

The recent tragic crash of the Maryland State Police aviation command Medevac helicopter has unfortunately developed a subplot for those who wish to further a debate about the future of the vital air rescue service.

The debate began before grieving co-workers, friends, and family hardly had a chance to say goodbye to the three rescue workers and one patient who died.

Much can be said about the inhumanity of state elected leaders who would use such a tragedy for political expediency; however, for those who have observed Maryland politics for many decades, there is very little that can surprise any longer.

We live in a state with a national reputation for politicizing everything from algae to windmills – with all the accompanying mediocrity that is associated with the enormous egos of politicians who are rarely held accountable for their mendacious, meddlesome behavior.

Ever since Maryland modeled its Medevac rescue system from the lessons learned on the battlefields of the Vietnam War, it has been copied all over the world with varying success, although arguably, the Maryland system remains the premier service.

Since the Medevac rescue missions began in Maryland in 1970, 120,000 trauma patients have received the benefits of getting the best chance of survival in what is termed the “golden hour.”

[...]

Read my entire column here: The Future of Maryland Medevac in The Tentacle by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 10, 2008


20081010 The Future of Maryland Medevac in The Tentacle by Kevin E. Dayhoff