DELAWARE STATE POLICE AVIATION UNIT

Captain Ronald W. Hagan

In 2009 the Section has continued its initiative to further its rescue ability through a cooperative effort with select members from the Wilmington Fire Department, the Delaware State Fire School and the Delaware Volunteer Fireman’s Association. This cooperative effort has resulted in the establishment of the Delaware Air Rescue Team. Members of the team are trained in basic helicopter operations along with becoming certified as hoist rescue specialists. The members augment our manpower and allow the Section to be more capable to handle complex rescue missions.

TFC. Ted Stipa and Cpl. Mike Branch completed the intense 18 month training program at Delaware Technical Community College and have become certified as nationally registered paramedics. They have already shown their value to the section, division and citizens of Delaware. Two Section members were promoted to Sergeant, Thomas McKeown and Keith Mark who took positions as NCOIC Aviation North and Paramedic Commander. Another Section member was promoted to Lieutenant, Ben Parsons, however his promotion resulted in a transfer to a position outside the Section. We wish Ben the best in his new position.

As always, in addition to the new and exciting programs that were going on in 2009, the Section continued to provide emergency helicopter service for law enforcement, EMS and search and rescue.

The helicopters flew 2,074 missions in 1042.1 flight hours. Emergency medical missions continue to be the largest mission category. Our tactical medics were activated 147 times to support the SORT team (DSP or WPD) and EOD team. There were 14 AED utilizations this year, with 1 confirmed lives saved. There were 8 exposures to communicable disease call-outs.

The year ended with a change of command for the Section. Captain Jeffrey Evans, a member of the Section for over 19 years who served as a Trooper-Medic, Paramedic Commander and then as the Section Commander, transferred to Troop 6 in December where he is the Troop Commander. His service to the Section during his tenure was exemplary and he is to be commended. Captain Ronald Hagan a 24 year veteran of the Division and a pilot was assigned as the Section Commander.
 

- Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -