Jun 13, 2008 6:47 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Co. Police Choppers Get Upgrades
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Three new Baltimore County Police helicopters, just over a year old, received a new upgrade.
Three new Baltimore County Police helicopters, just over a year old, have just received a new upgrade.
Mike Schuh reports the county says what they've done will save lives.
Remember in 1999 when there was a towering inferno downtown? State police lowered firefighters on the rooftop.
Now, county police are getting similar equipment.
The county has more shoreline than most. What's special and new is a tool that hangs out and away from the chopper. That's so it can lower a wire for rescues.
All this week and next week has been reserved for training to learn to use the hoists.
"It's challenging and takes a lot of concentration. We train because it is a skill which has to be perfected," said Officer Danny Wolf, a pilot.
The pilots have to hold the chopper very still. The flight officers then have any dangling victims' lives in their hands.
"It's going to offer more support to the ground units, and to if we ever come into the situation of an Isabel again, we'll be ready for it," said Officer Matt Jackson.
They are also practicing water rescues with the county fire department.
In one mock rescue, a firefighter was pulled up and out of the water. It was practice needed in case rescuers need to pluck a boater from the water and up to safety.
With state police offering similar capabilities, why does the county need these?
"Water rescues, boaters in distress, rock climbers who may have fallen or swift water rescues...this hoist, it's another tool in our tool box," said Sgt. Ron Wines.
These hoists cost $200,000. Baltimore has three choppers, but only two hoists. They're asking that another be put in the budget for next year.
The training continues through next week. The hoists become operational on June 20.
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