FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you fly me to the hospital, will I receive a bill? NO!   The Maryland State Police Aviation Command does not bill patients.

Who provides funding for the Aviation Command?
The Aviation Command is funded through the Maryland Emergency Medical System Operations Fund (MEMSOF) and Maryland's general funds. The MEMSOF is composed of an $11.00 per year surcharge collected from owners of registered motor vehicles. Maryland law requires that a portion of the money contained in the MEMSOF be used for the medically oriented functions of the Aviation Command. The medically oriented functions of the Aviation Command constitute approximately 80% of our helicopter operations; therefore approximately 80% of our helicopter operations are funded through the MEMSOF. 










How many helicopters does the Maryland State Police have and how 
much do they cost?








We currently operate 11 Helicopters.  Each helicopter costs approximately 
$6 million.  If you would like to learn more about our helicopters, 
please 

click Here. 








When you pick up someone who is injured, where do you take them?








We typically transport patients to trauma-receiving 
facilities.  Although many people are familiar with the 

University 
of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, there are other trauma centers to which we transport patients.  



The hospital to which we transport is generally dictated by our 
protocol.  We will typically transport patients to the closest hospital 
that is appropriate for their injuries.  For example, pediatric trauma 
patients are usually transported to either Johns Hopkins Hospital or 
Childrens National Medical Center.  Head injuries are generally 
transported to Shock Trauma.  And burns are typically treated at 
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center or MedSTAR.  We will always advise ground EMS providers or police personnel of our intended destination so that family members may be notified.










When are the new helicopters coming ?








For information about the new helicopters, click here 
for Governor O'Malley's announcement.








If you have a question that is not answered here or that you feel should be included in this section, please 

e-mail us.  We will do 
our best to answer your question.