DELAWARE STATE POLICE AVIATION UNIT
Captain Jeffrey R. Evans
In January of 2008, Captain Jeff Evans, Sgt. Dave Valeski, Cpl. Scott Valeski and Cpl. Keith Mark took the newly received Bell 412 helicopter to the Helicopter Association International exposition being held in Houston Texas. The aircraft was being highlighted by Bell Helicopter as a high-tech workhorse for law enforcement, EMS and search and rescue missions. As a result of this show, the Delaware State Police received worldwide attention.
In the spring of 2008, the 412 was placed in service with the radio designator of “heavy”. On April 9, 2008, there was an official unveiling of the aircraft, attended by the Governor, the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, the Executive Staff, legislators, representatives from the medical community and several survivors.
A majority of our pilots have received their 412 initial training at Flight Safety International in Texas, as well as intensive in-house training by Bell Helicopter. During the late summer and early fall months of 2008, the Aviation Section was involved with outreach training as well. We conducted training with the Delaware Fire Service and several state agencies. In addition, the Section contracted with a training company called Priority - 1 Air Rescue to conduct rescue training for our members. The members have become certified as hoist rescue specialists.
The Section has undertaken a new initiative to better our efforts with regard to rescue. In a cooperative effort with select members from the Wilmington Fire Department, the Delaware State Fire School and the Delaware Volunteer Fireman’s Association, we have established the Helicopter Emergency Action Team (HEAT). These members train with us in basic helicopter operations as well as becoming certified as hoist rescue specialists. These members will augment our manpower and make us more able to handle complex rescue missions. We also welcomed two new members to our Section this year. Tfc. Ted Stipa and Cpl. Mike Branch attended an intense 18 month training program at Delaware Technical Community College to become certified as nationally registered paramedics.
As always, in addition to the new and exciting programs that were going on in 2008, the Section continued to provide emergency helicopter service for law enforcement, EMS and search and rescue, as well as provide fixed wing services to many state and local agencies.
The helicopters flew 2,572 missions in 1,331.2 flight hours. Emergency medical missions continue to be our largest mission category, followed by criminal support flights. Our fixed wing unit flew 22 extradition flights with the Attorney General’s Office, bringing 51 prisoners back to the state. We also flew 14 non-extradition flights, transporting 35 passengers.
Our tactical medics were activated 58 times to support the Special Operations Response Team and 12 times to support our Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
The Section is also responsible for medical training for the Division, the AED program and communicable disease control. We trained 726 people in CPR as well as approximately 250 people in First Responder. There were 8 AED utilizations this year, with 2 confirmed lives saved. There were 10 exposure to communicable disease call-outs.
- Information obtained from 2008 DSP Annual Report -
