Enhancements Ahead for Maryland Medevacs

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Funding for three new helicopters for the Maryland State Police should be included in the FY '10 budget, enhanced safety equipment should be purchased and measures should be taken to bring the fleet into compliance with certain federal regulations.

Those were among the recommendations of a panel of state lawmakers that convened in January to review the Medevac and EMS program. The 14-member group has reviewed documents and heard testimony as they studied every aspect of the trauma system.

Maryland's premier Medevac program has undergone intense scrutiny since a crash last September claimed the lives of the pilot, the flight medic, an EMT and a patient.

A national panel of aviation experts that reviewed operations after the crash lauded the state police for an exemplary program, one that has long been recognized as a model.

Last week, EMS, fire and rescue officials as well as nurses, doctors and patients gathered in front of the State House to show support for the program.

The lawmakers' report, which calls for the state police to continue to operate the program, was released Tuesday afternoon, just 24 hours before a controversial bill hearing is scheduled.

The bill calls for the creation of a new state agency that would oversee all emergency services, while another would allow private firms to submit a proposal to provide Medevacs.

A number of people who attended last week's rally said they plan to attend the hearing to oppose the legislation.

Also, as the special workgroup was finalizing its report, two senators filed a new bill that calls for an extensive study of the entire trauma and Medevac program. It says the state police to hold off purchasing new helicopters until the probe is complete. No hearing has been set.

Supporters of the state's trauma system say they also will oppose that bill.

Delegate John L. Bohanan Jr., the chairman of the special workgroup said: "For about $5 per vehicle, Marylanders have access to world class trauma care, regardless of who you are or what your ability to pay may be in a medical emergency. The workgroup balanced many factors in its review, with an eye to providing reliable trauma care to every region in the state."

Lawmakers recommendations include:

* Safety Upgrades - Support of the current fleet of MSP multi-mission helicopters with safety upgrades, flight simulator, maintenance and inventory management software. The existing fleet should be retrofitted to include night vision goggles, ELTs, TAWS and a flight simulator.

* Fleet Purchase - Budgeting for the purchase of three helicopters in the FY10 budget, and three helicopters in each subsequent year, to avoid problems of multiple versions of helicopter models, which may lend to maintenance issues.

*Maintenance - MSP should consider a long-term maintenance plan, prior to purchase of the first helicopter.

*Funding - Funding should be provided for CFR Part 135 certification in FY10, followed by a budgeted phase-in of co-pilots and pursuit of CAMTS accreditation, in FY11, to the extent funding is available.

* Legislative Oversight - Establishing a Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the EMS system to oversee the procurement of new assets for the State, to sunset in three to four years. The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee will review the progress on helicopter procurement; annual protocol and training changes for EMS field providers; implementation of ongoing safety improvements, including implementation of CFR Part 135; long-term viability for financing the EMS system; and the base and trauma center studies.