MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IRENE

(Middle River, MD) – The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) demonstrated its commitment and value to the citizens of Maryland over the past 72 hours. Advanced preparedness combined with safe and efficient mission execution produced many positive outcomes for the victims of Hurricane Irene as it threatened Maryland with rain and high winds. The Aviation Command strategically repositioned aircraft out of harm’s way prior to the landfall of Irene and requested assistance from Advanced Tactical Rescue Teams throughout the state from Cumberland, Frederick, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County and Baltimore City.

As soon as the effects of Hurricane Irene diminished and weather permitted, all seven MSPAC helicopter sections were returned to service and one additional helicopter was forward deployed in anticipation of the increased call volumes. Twenty-five direct calls for service were handled that included medical patient transports for wind related trauma emergencies, surge assessment flights for immediate response control, and aerial reconnaissance missions for county/local emergency management storm damage evaluations. High mission volumes were experienced on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland and all calls for service totaling 21.8 flight hours were handled promptly statewide.

Ten patients were flown to area trauma centers and nine disaster assessments flights were completed with local emergency management officials onboard MSPAC aircraft. No helicopter aerial rescues were requested or performed during the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, however five MSPAC aircraft were outfitted with advanced equipment and allied personnel to perform such rescues if necessary. In the storm aftermath, the MSPAC worked in coordination with public safety aviation units from the United States Park Police, Delaware State Police, Fairfax Police Department, Maryland Air National Guard, and the Civil Air Patrol.

The MSPAC is an essential component of the Statewide Trauma and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command works closely with the members of all Maryland’s first response organizations as part of the state’s world renowned integrated emergency medical services system.