Helicopter Staffing

[brownlab]

Since we are talking Helicopters, I have some questions...................
Does Fairfax carry a flight nurse on all of their missions (even law enforcement)? Are the flight nurses employees of the Fairfax County Police or do they work for INOVA (or somebody else)? Is the pilot and co pilot (or is the co pilot a spotter) both Police Officers? How many patients can a helicoper accomadate?
Does the VSP use the same personel set up as Fairfax?

Thanks

 

[freqhopping]

I imagine much of this still applies.
Special Unit Profile

Bell 429s have room for two pilots up front, three + 1 patient in the rear.

 

[canav844]

Multi-Role Bell 429 Performs For Fairfax Police Department | Aviation International News

Fairfax dispatches with one pilot and two cross-trained paramedic/TFOs. The front seat TFO is responsible for scene navigation and communication with ground units while the back-seater operates the Flir. The department currently has six pilots and 11 TFOs who work 12-hour shifts. Teams can self-dispatch based on their own judgment or when requested.

 

[brownlab]

Thanks to both of you. Interesting information (at least to me)

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Does the VSP use the same personel set up as Fairfax?

As for VSP, it depends on which base they're flying from. Generally, the only trooper on the A/C is the pilot, with the medical personnel being from local fire/EMS departments or hospitals. Planned daytime law enforcement missions will usually get a second pilot flying one of the reserve A/C, but unplanned/urgent LE missions will get the trooper/pilot and the medic(s) and/or nurse(s) on the primary helo.

 

[JokeInsurance]

I was curious; looking in Fairfax County Public Safety under the Database section, is FCFD AirCare Fairfax One? Thanks.

 

[j2brown]

No, AirCare is a private company that runs a handful of medical flight helicopters in the area. Fairfax 1 is owned/operated by Fairfax County and usually does their medical flyouts as well as law enforcement work.

 

[mikev]

Fairfax 1 is owned by Fairfax County, used primarily by law enforcement but also available for emergency medical transport when necessary. I know Fairfax One has been used to assist Loudoun County Sheriff's Office with aerial support in locating suspects. Also, it appears Fairfax County may now have TWO helicopters at their disposal...

Bell delivers second 429 to Fairfax County Police

PHI Air Medical (aka Aircare Medevac) is solely a provider of aerial emergency transport, separate from what Fairfax County has available. According to PHI's web site, they have helicopters based in Leesburg, Manassas, Baltimore, Fredericksburg, and Winchester in the DC/Baltimore Metro areas.