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For Immediate Release

Date: January 26, 2004
Contact: Delegate David D. Rudolph
Phone: 410-841-3444

A Soaring Program Must Not Be Grounded

Delegate David Rudolph

"Come to Maryland and find one public-service operation that is cherished by the State's citizens - the Maryland State Police Aviation Division. When taxpayers hear the familiar whine of the [helicopter] overhead, they know they're getting their money's worth and that help is on the way." -- Rotor & Wing, July 2000

Americans have developed a new, or perhaps, renewed level of respect for the dedicated men and women who serve their fellow citizens in times of difficulty and tragedy. Since 9/11 we all have a greater appreciation of the skill, bravery and commitment of our nation's first responders.

In Maryland we are fortunate to have as part of our Emergency Medical Service a system that serves as a model for the rest of the nation B the Maryland State Police Aviation Command Medevac program. This prestigious program is nationally renowned and is a vital component of one of the country's premier trauma programs. Why then, as a national leader are we even considering a convoluted partial privatization plan that will surely undermine this premiere program in patient service and safety.

The Maryland State Police Medevac program has a distinguished history starting in 1970 as the first civilian agency to transport a critically injured trauma patient by helicopter. Dr. R. Adams Cowley, founder of Baltimore's Shock Trauma, strongly believed that Medevac transportation of critically injured patients to Shock Trauma would save lives. Today, 100,000 patient transports and 34 years later, the MSP Aviation Command Medevac program it is one of the busiest public safety aeromedical systems in the world. It is not only one of the busiest but also one of the safest having logged more than 120,000 consecutive accident-free flight hours. Dr. Cowley's vision has certainly become reality.

In fiscal year 2004 alone, there were 5,428 patients transported by the MSP Aviation Command Medevac program, with 95% of these patients ( 5,144) being transported from the scene of injury at the request of local fire and emergency services. Calls included 2,544 motor vehicle crashes, 706 falls, 300 pedestrian accidents, 132 gunshot wounds, 87 burns and 86 industrial accidents.

Such success, such leadership begs the question B why would we ever entertain the thought of even partially privatizing the system.

Theories of privatization have been put forth in a host of areas in recent years, but in the area of Emergency Medical Services we must exercise caution. Maryland's Medevac system is proven to save lives and I strongly oppose jeopardizing one of our country's strongest trauma programs to conduct an experiment in privatization. We should be dedicated to improving the system, not destroying it.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command's safety record has been described as phenomenal, and for good reason. In fiscal year 2004 the Command transported well over 5,000 trauma patients without an accident. Now consider this - in the past three years there have been 48 air medical transport crashes across the country. Forty-seven of those accidents involved commercial providers, while only one public use helicopter incident was reported.

Far more important than insurance rates and cost is the security and safety of Maryland's citizens. Across the country, Maryland's Medevac system is envied, analyzed and recognized as the model program, as evidenced by an article in Rotor & Wing (July 2000) that encouraged supporters of privatization, to "Come to Maryland and find one public-service operation that is cherished by the State's citizens - the Maryland State Police Aviation Division. When taxpayers hear the familiar whine of the [helicopter] overhead, they know they're getting their money's worth and that help is on the way."

Representing a rural county along the busy I-95 corridor, I, along with my constituents, am well aware of the value and importance of the Maryland State Police Medevac program. We all know the sound of the MSP Medevac helicopter. We know that sound can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one, neighbor or friend.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has been there for us, but privatization threatens the mission of this prestigious and effective system. We must all show the same dedication and commitment we have come to expect from Maryland's State Police Aviation Command for more than 34 years if we wish to continue as an example to the rest of the country. This delegate is committed to preserving such excellence!

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