GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 810

Short Title:  Airborne Rescue Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Carpenter.

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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April 24, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIME CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT THE NORTH CAROLINA AIRBORNE HIGH LEVEL RESCUE AND EXTRICATION PROGRAM.
Whereas, there exist national forests and parks in North Carolina that comprise over 1.5 million acres of land and which are visited annually by over one million persons; and
Whereas, the national forests and parks cover thousands of acres of remote land with limited access; and
Whereas, there exist many trails of the National Trails System that are traveled by thousands of hikers annually and which cross remote sections of North Carolina; and
Whereas, there are numerous waterfalls visited by many tourists each year with limited access; and
Whereas, there have been many requests for helicopter rescue efforts for injured persons at the above-referenced sites; and
Whereas, nonmedical rescues require a large number of rescue personnel and many person-hours; and
Whereas, there exists an excellent air-medical helicopter transport program throughout North Carolina to complement and enhance air-rescue efforts; and
Whereas, there exists the necessity for extrication utilizing a hovering helicopter winching process to effect an airborne high level rescue effort and such capability currently exists only with the North Carolina National Guard; and
Whereas, pursuant to G.S. 166A-4(3), the N.C. Division of Emergency Management coordinates the activities of all agencies for emergency management within the State, including planning, organizing, staffing, equipping, training, testing, and the activation of emergency management programs; and
Whereas, the Division of Emergency Management coordinates requests for the use of North Carolina National Guard resources during an emergency and provides reimbursement to the Guard for such assistance; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Airborne High Level Rescue and Extrication Program will greatly reduce the length of time for rescue efforts for injured persons; and
Whereas, it is the mission and goal of the North Carolina Airborne High Level Rescue and Extrication Program to provide rescue to the injured with the least possible risk of danger to the injured or to the rescue personnel; and 
Whereas, North Carolina recognizes the need for an air-rescue helicopter program to preserve life and assist the injured who may be located in remote areas far from necessary medical assistance; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, the sum of two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year to establish and support the North Carolina Airborne High Level Rescue and Extrication Program.
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.