Schools
Suffolk Police Chopper Visits Smithtown High School East
The department's aviation unit taught students about their lifesaving work. Check out some photos.
SMITHTOWN, NY — Suffolk County Police Department pilot, Dennis Fitzgerald, along with members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Aviation unit, made a prearranged landing at Smithtown High School East on Wednesday to teach students about their work, the Smithtown School District announced.
"We are the air ambulance for Suffolk County," Fitzgerald told biomedical science students from Smithtown High School East and West.
Joining Fitzgerald aboard the department’s medevac helicopter was pilot Darrell Randolph and paramedics Amanda Hill and Dennis Frankie.
Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The officers explained that they most often respond to medical emergencies involving trauma, such as a car accident.
A heart monitor, stretcher, blood pressure and medication 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.
Find out what's happening in Smithtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The crew also responds to missing person’s calls, particularly involving elderly Alzheimer’s patients, as well as water rescues.
"The visit continues a close partnership between the Smithtown Central School District and the Suffolk County Police Department," the school district wrote.
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