Jan 21, 2009 11:14 pm US/Eastern
O'Malley Wants Aging Medevac Fleet Replaced
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A state medical helicopter crashed, killing four people. It was a tragedy that raised questions about the state's Medevac helicopters. Now there are plans to replace the entire fleet.
A state medical helicopter crashed, killing four people. It was a tragedy that raised questions about the state's Medevac helicopters. Now there are plans to replace the entire fleet.
Dennis Edwards explains why some lawmakers say it's a bad idea.
State police believe new and better equipped Medevacs will help prevent fatal crashes, but some lawmakers oppose what they call a bad idea.
With the support of Governor Martin O'Malley, state police want to replace their aging fleet of 11 Dauphin Twin Jet Medevac helicopters. Almost half went into service in 1989.
"These multi-mission helicopters provide not only for Medevacs but also provide for law enforcement missions, search and rescue missions," said Greg Shipley with Maryland State Police.
The governor's newest budget proposal includes plans for up to 12 new helicopters. About $40 million is set aside to buy the first two new replacements in 2010. The request comes less than four months after a bad weather Medevac crash in Prince George's County claimed the lives of four people, including the pilot. The investigation raised questions about flight practices and the absence of state of the art equipment like the terrain awareness warning system.
But Republicans are questioning the announcement. They tell Eyewitness News they can't believe the governor is talking about committing funds to buying helicopters during a financial crisis.
"It's insane. Here we are at a time of a budget crisis and we're committing to new helicopters when we have an audit report that says the current helicopters aren't being properly maintained," said State Senator E.J. Pipkin.
He wants to consider other options, including privatizing what is now a free service.
"Senator Astel and I have a proposal on the table to divide the fleet up between the medical fleet as well as the search and rescue and law enforcement and that would change the type of helicopters that we may buy," he said.
A showdown appears to be in the making with Republicans on one side and Democrats on the other. In the middle is the future of a live-saving program that's under tight scrutiny.
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