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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

MSP Aviation Division At Risk Again

"Hey Joe

I know this is not related to this post but I dont know if your readers watched the water main break rescue on tv performed by the MSP Aviation Division. Just so you know Senator Pipkin and his friends in Anapolis want to severely decimate the helicopter capacity of the Aviation Division. they want to allow private helicopters replace the medevac function of the helicopters. that sounds like a good idea but the MSP helicopters do more than medevac. the water and mountain rescues are a staple, as well as law enforcement. it is interesting to note that the medevacs are paid for by all motorists who own vehicles in Maryland, but if we switch to the private helicopters they charge thousands of dollars for medical transport. Also these private helicopters will not serve rural areas due to low volume of transports in rural areas. The lobby that represent the private helicopter transport are a major financial supporter of the good Senators political campaign."

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't believe MSP aviation performed any of the rescue's. On the video's I saw. It was of Eagle 1 which is the united states park police.... Park Police aviation does a lot medavac missions and rescues in the National capital region along with MSP...

However, you are correct about pipkin

Anonymous said...

Does this mwan the cost of tagging a vehicle will be reduced ?

Anonymous said...

did you see them rescuing people from thiers cars yesterday in that watermain break?

Anonymous said...

the two crew members of the MSP rescue helicopter were on Fox News last night with Greta Van Susteran.

Anonymous said...

Idiot 8:43, it was an MSP helicopter get a bigger tv or get your eyes checked!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

As someone who has had the need for MSP, I know how important they are when it comes to transportating a patient from Salisbury to Baltimore in an emergency. I can sit here today and know they saved my life. Back in February due to an accident I needed to be transported, MSP wasn't available. A private unit took me to JHH. I did not know until the bill arrived that this bill will be one I'll be paying on probably for the rest of my life. They accepted Medicare but do not accept Medicaid. Until your a patient there are some things which you are unaware of when it comes to who accepts what. I am one of those who wants to see MSP medavac stay active.

KM

Anonymous said...

The public should look no further than the events in Montgomery County yesterday to realize the value of this service. The MSP Aviaton Division is top notch and your tax dollars are hard at work. You cannot place a value on their transport and care of severely injured citizens. Their flight medics are outstanding and Pilots are the best.

The capacities of the chppers are endless. One example is the flood lights and Thermal Imaging cameras onboard. They can search and area for an escaped criminal or lost person in minutes. It would take a group of firefighters and police hours in valuable time. I have had the pleasure of working with these fine men and women throughout my career in the SFD. I can assure you that your tax dollars are well spent and you get a fine service in return.

Anonymous said...

From the wtop news website.. If you look in the gallery of photos.. I too only see the US Park police helicopter... Doesn't mean MSP wasn't there. But, I don't thing anon 9:32 should be calling people idiots..

Link included if joe will allow
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=706&sid=1557387

Anonymous said...

I believe DC Park Police, Eagle 1 was a part of the rescue. They have better helicopters for the rescue the Dolphins are not very good for lifting and should not have been purchased.

I know for a fact the Eagle 1 can lift more and only loses about 5 knots in air speed compared to Dolphin.

Yes I have flown on both helicopters and worked with both doing both tasks, so I can tell you the Eagle 1 is a better unit in my opinion, MSP wasted money on the Dolphins

Anonymous said...

Why didnt they just hook a wench to the vehicles and drag them down the road?

Anonymous said...

Joe,

If there is a group who wants to form to support MSP Aviation and stop the state from losing them, can you facilitate that on your site?

MSP Aviation is especially important in rural areas like ours. They save lives - that's the bottom line!

I think there are many local citizens who would join an advocacy group.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

What happens when a water main breaks in salisbury

Anonymous said...

for 10:34 p.m.

Our sewer rates will go up !