“We are the air ambulance for Suffolk County.”
Those were the words of Suffolk County Police Department pilot, Dennis Fitzgerald, as members of the SCPD’s Aviation unit made a prearranged landing at High School East to teach East and West PLTW biomedical science students about their work.
Joining Mr. Fitzgerald aboard the department’s medevac helicopter was pilot Darrell Randolph and paramedics, Amanda Hill and Dennis Frankie.
The officers explained that they most often respond to medical emergencies involving trauma, such as a car accident. A heart monitor, stretcher, blood pressure medication and more are all on board.
The helicopter is equipped with an infrared camera that can locate people because they emit body heat. The second pilot in the cockpit also can monitor a color camera that can zoom up to 18 times.
The crew also responds to missing person’s calls, particularly involving elderly Alzheimer’s patients, as well as water rescues.
Wednesday's visit continues a close partnership between the Smithtown ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ School District and the Suffolk County Police Department.
