The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has been in operation for over thirty years and is known as one of the finest aeromedical units in the world. We continually strive to improve the quality of care that we provide to our patients. The single most important aspect of our operation is the individual employee. From our Command Staff who oversee the entire Command to the Pilots, Mechanics and Medics, we each have an integral role in the success of every mission.

Each helicopter has a two-person crew that consists of a pilot and a paramedic. As a paramedic in this Command, you will be solely responsible for the care of every patient you transport. You will not have a partner. As a result you must have strong pre-hospital Advanced Life Support skills as well as the self-confidence to use those skills. As a Trooper / Medic you will perform skills such as Rapid Sequence Intubation, surgical cricothyrotomy and needle chest decompression. Your skills must be sharp in order to handle this job.

The basic qualifications necessary to be considered for the Aviation Command as a Trooper / Medic (in addition to the basic Trooper qualifications) are:

• National Registry EMT-Paramedic certification
• Maryland Paramedic certification (or eligibility for reciprocity)
• Three years of ALS field EMS experience, or equivalent (desired)

The single most difficult part of becoming a Trooper / Medic is becoming a Maryland State Trooper. As you have seen on this website, you will be required to undergo the same training as every other Trooper. This includes the residential State Police Academy. Once you graduate from the Academy and complete Field Training, you will be assigned to a Barrack. You may then submit a request to transfer into the Aviation Command. The Command maintains an eligibility list that is based on your experience and qualifications, as well as the results of a skills assessment and interview.

Once you are accepted into the Command, you will undergo a rigorous fourteen week training program. This training includes:

Didactic Phase (7 weeks)

• A Complete review of all modules of the DOT Paramedic Curriculum
• ACLS Recertification
• Practical demonstration and review of basic and advanced life support procedures
• Clinical rotations in areas such as the Operating Room, Neonatal Transport Team, Shock Trauma and Burn Unit
• Maryland Protocol Review (and certification as a Maryland Paramedic)
• Airborne Law Enforcement
• Search & Rescue (hoisting) techniques

Flight Medic Field Training Phase (7 weeks)

• Familiarization with the Eurocopter Dauphin II Helicopter
• Review and practice with all equipment carried on the aircraft
• Review of the history of the Command, mission profiles, chain of command, etc.
• Use of all communications equipment
• Practical exposure to all aspects of flight operations
• Helicopter Safety

If you have any additional questions about a career with MSP Aviation, or if you would like to discuss your qualifications with a member of the Aviation Command, please e-mail First Sergeant Elizabeth Beck. First Sergeant Beck is the Aviation Command Paramedic Recruiter and she will be able to answer your questions and assist you with the application process. To learn more about the Aviation Command, please click here.