EastCare
Encyclopedia
EastCare is the critical care mobile air
and ground
transport of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
(UHS) at Pitt County Memorial Hospital
(PCMH). It serves 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina
and extends into Virginia
. It is sponsored by PCMH and The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
. PCMH is the only level 1 trauma center
east of Raleigh
. It is one of nine air ambulances plus Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
, located in North Carolina, and serves a radius
of 230 nautical miles (426 km) around Greenville
without refueling. Jeffrey D. Ferguson is the current Medical Director for EastCare and Rhonda Reeder is the Program Director.
EastCare can be dispatched for a number of causes, including: trauma
, burn
, neonatal
, high risk pregnancy
, hyperbaric medicine, stroke
and myocardial infarction
. EastCare is most often sent for cardiac patients
, followed by trauma, pediatric
and neonatal patients. The only air crash occurred on January 8, 1987 when everyone on board died.
ambulance service. It was established by PCMH on April 8, 1985. On June 30, 1985, an open house was held to usher in the new ambulance service.
EastCare helped PCMH become a level 1 trauma center in November 1985. It expanded to critical care ground transport in 1994. By 2000, UHS adds a second helicopter to their fleet. Also, PCMH begins the construction of a new emergency department. The four-story emergency department is a two-helicopter rooftop landing pad
which was complete in November 2003. The communication center is also located in this tower. In 2009, the ground ambulances went on more than 10,000 trips.
helicopter to the Naval Hospital
at Camp Lejeune
on January 8, 1987 to transport Xenia Lewis, a 3-month-old, who was suffering from epileptic seizures. The helicopter crashed around 9:30 pm in the Hoffman Forest, near Pollocksville
in Jones County
. Pilot Perry L. Reynolds, flight nurses Mike McGinnis and Pam Demaree, and the patient all died. The crew reported a fire on board during its last Mayday
. Marine
search and rescue from Air Station New River
found the burning wreckage around 9:40 pm. Most of the cabin was burned away and the last body was removed at around 2:00 am and all taken to Jacksonville
. The National Transportation Safety Board
s preliminary results suggested the helicopter banked to the right with its nose down when it crashed.
Annually, PCMH has the Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony, for the memory of the four people who died in the crash.
made landfall in North Carolina. The Tar River
, which runs through Greenville, suffered the worst flooding, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested 24 feet (7.3 m) above flood stage. Damages in Pitt County
alone were estimated at $1.6 billion (1999 USD, $1.87 billion 2006 USD).
PCMH turned into a landing zone
for helicopters landing and departing. PCMH at the time owned one helicopter. EastCare flew 102 missions from landfall to ten days later. The first mission occurred on the afternoon of landfall. EastCare rescued a woman from Pinetops
from her rooftop who was in labor. The situation far exceeded PCMHs aerial capability. Mission St. Joseph's Health System in Asheville
sent one helicopter for two days, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
sent two helicopters and two teams for six days and Rocky Mountain Air
, the company that owned the EastCare helicopters at the time, sent one helicopter for two days. Many military helicopter
s from the North Carolina Air National Guard
were used to help rescue survivors and bring them to the hospital. At the height of the aftermath there were as many as thirty helicopter missions each day, more than ten times the rate normally. A few days after the storm hit, the staff was fatigued and was replaced. It became EastCares job to fly and pick up staff who work at the hospital. EastCare also transported patients and supplies to and from the hospital.
is based at the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport
in Elm City
and two Eurocopter EC145, located at PCMH. On September 25, 2007, UHS stationed one helicopter at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport so it will allow for shorter flight time, giving a better chance for the patient to arrive at PCMH within the golden hour
. The Elm City based helicopter serves the counties of Edgecombe
, Halifax
, Johnston
, Nash
, Sampson
, Wayne
and Wilson
. EastCare used Eurocopter helicopters since the mid-1980s. The three new helicopters are replacing three Eurocopter BK-117s that were operated on a lease arrangement and flown by Air Methods
. The helicopters run around 2,400 times per year, with the average one-way flight being 30 minutes. The callsign for dispatch is "University Medical" and for the helicopters are "Air 1", "Air 2" and "Air 3".
and basic life support
. The ground transport vehicles are primary stationed either in Greenville or at one of the satellite stations. The other stations are Bertie County
, Carteret County
, Duplin County
, Halifax County
, Nash County
and Onslow County
.
and fifth overall to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
. By 1996, it was the first program to be re-accredited and the first to be accredited for critical-care ground transport. In 2000, it was selected as the Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. It received the Helicopter World/Air Ambulance Search and Rescue
2001 Award for its work during Hurricane Floyd.
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
and ground
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
transport of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina is a non-profit hospital system made up of eight hospitals in 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina. UHS leases or owns seven and manages one hospital. It also includes physician practices, home health, hospice, wellness centers and other health care...
(UHS) at Pitt County Memorial Hospital
Pitt County Memorial Hospital
Pitt County Memorial Hospital is a hospital located in Greenville, North Carolina. It is the flagship teaching hospital for the University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. PCMH is the only trauma center east of...
(PCMH). It serves 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina is the region encompassing the eastern tier of North Carolina. It is known geographically as the state's Coastal Plain region. Primary subregions of Eastern North Carolina include the Fayetteville Metropolitan Area, the Lower Cape Fear , the Sandhills, the Inner Banks and...
and extends into Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is sponsored by PCMH and The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
. PCMH is the only level 1 trauma center
Trauma center
A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. Trauma centers grew into existence out of the realization that traumatic injury is a disease process unto itself requiring specialized and experienced...
east of Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. It is one of nine air ambulances plus Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, located in North Carolina, and serves a radius
Radius
In classical geometry, a radius of a circle or sphere is any line segment from its center to its perimeter. By extension, the radius of a circle or sphere is the length of any such segment, which is half the diameter. If the object does not have an obvious center, the term may refer to its...
of 230 nautical miles (426 km) around Greenville
Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...
without refueling. Jeffrey D. Ferguson is the current Medical Director for EastCare and Rhonda Reeder is the Program Director.
EastCare can be dispatched for a number of causes, including: trauma
Trauma (medicine)
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
, burn
Burn
A burn is an injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction.Burn may also refer to:*Combustion*Burn , type of watercourses so named in Scotland and north-eastern England...
, neonatal
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
, high risk pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
, hyperbaric medicine, stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. EastCare is most often sent for cardiac patients
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
, followed by trauma, pediatric
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
and neonatal patients. The only air crash occurred on January 8, 1987 when everyone on board died.
History
On December 18, 1984, the PCMH Board of Trustees budgeted $754,119 to set up a helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
ambulance service. It was established by PCMH on April 8, 1985. On June 30, 1985, an open house was held to usher in the new ambulance service.
| Original flight crew | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilots | Flight Nurses | ||
| Willie Dykes | Mike McGinnis(Chief Flight Nurse) | Dolly Bryan | Breda Hurdle |
| Sam Ewing | Mary Jo Bankhead | Pam Demaree | John Nelson |
| Perry Reynolds | Alena Bramble | Betty Harris | Cindy Raisor |
EastCare helped PCMH become a level 1 trauma center in November 1985. It expanded to critical care ground transport in 1994. By 2000, UHS adds a second helicopter to their fleet. Also, PCMH begins the construction of a new emergency department. The four-story emergency department is a two-helicopter rooftop landing pad
Helipad
Helipad is a common abbreviation for helicopter landing pad, a landing area for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can safely...
which was complete in November 2003. The communication center is also located in this tower. In 2009, the ground ambulances went on more than 10,000 trips.
1987 crash
EastCare flew in a Bell 206L LongRangerBell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
helicopter to the Naval Hospital
Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune
Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune is a United States Navy-run facility that is located on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.-References:*...
at Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
on January 8, 1987 to transport Xenia Lewis, a 3-month-old, who was suffering from epileptic seizures. The helicopter crashed around 9:30 pm in the Hoffman Forest, near Pollocksville
Pollocksville, North Carolina
Pollocksville is a town in Jones County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 269 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Bern, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Pollocksville is located at ....
in Jones County
Jones County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,061 households, and 2,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 4,679 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
. Pilot Perry L. Reynolds, flight nurses Mike McGinnis and Pam Demaree, and the patient all died. The crew reported a fire on board during its last Mayday
Mayday (distress signal)
Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning "come help me"....
. Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
search and rescue from Air Station New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River is a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. In 1972, the airfield was named McCutcheon Field for Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation...
found the burning wreckage around 9:40 pm. Most of the cabin was burned away and the last body was removed at around 2:00 am and all taken to Jacksonville
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
. The National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
s preliminary results suggested the helicopter banked to the right with its nose down when it crashed.
Annually, PCMH has the Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony, for the memory of the four people who died in the crash.
Hurricane Floyd
On September 16, 1999, Hurricane FloydHurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached...
made landfall in North Carolina. The Tar River
Tar River
The Tar River is a river that is approximately long, of northeast North Carolina flowing generally southeast to an estuary of Pamlico Sound. The Tar River becomes the tidal Pamlico River once it underpasses the U.S...
, which runs through Greenville, suffered the worst flooding, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested 24 feet (7.3 m) above flood stage. Damages in Pitt County
Pitt County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 133,798 people, 52,539 households, and 32,258 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 people per square mile . There were 58,408 housing units at an average density of 90 per square mile...
alone were estimated at $1.6 billion (1999 USD, $1.87 billion 2006 USD).
PCMH turned into a landing zone
Landing Zone
A Landing Zone or "LZ" is a military term for any area where an aircraft can land.In the United States military, a landing zone is the actual point where aircraft land...
for helicopters landing and departing. PCMH at the time owned one helicopter. EastCare flew 102 missions from landfall to ten days later. The first mission occurred on the afternoon of landfall. EastCare rescued a woman from Pinetops
Pinetops, North Carolina
Pinetops is a town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
from her rooftop who was in labor. The situation far exceeded PCMHs aerial capability. Mission St. Joseph's Health System in Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
sent one helicopter for two days, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is an $9 billion integrated global nonprofit health enterprise that has 54,000 employees, 20 hospitals, 4,200 licensed beds, 400 outpatient sites and doctors’ offices, a 1.5 million-member health insurance division, as well as commercial and...
sent two helicopters and two teams for six days and Rocky Mountain Air
Air Methods
Air Methods, Corp. is the largest publicly owned emergency medical services helicopter operator in the United States, with a fleet of over 300 medical transport helicopters that average 85,000 transports and 100,000 flight hours per year as of December 2006....
, the company that owned the EastCare helicopters at the time, sent one helicopter for two days. Many military helicopter
Military helicopter
A military helicopter is a helicopter that is either specifically built or converted for use by military forces. A military helicopter's mission is a function of its design or conversion...
s from the North Carolina Air National Guard
North Carolina Air National Guard
The North Carolina Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is, along with the North Carolina Army National Guard, an element of the North Carolina National Guard...
were used to help rescue survivors and bring them to the hospital. At the height of the aftermath there were as many as thirty helicopter missions each day, more than ten times the rate normally. A few days after the storm hit, the staff was fatigued and was replaced. It became EastCares job to fly and pick up staff who work at the hospital. EastCare also transported patients and supplies to and from the hospital.
Air ambulances
EastCare currently owns three helicopters. The Eurocopter EC135T2+Eurocopter EC135
The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:...
is based at the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport
Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport
Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport is a public airport located seven miles southwest of the central business district of Rocky Mount, a city located in Nash...
in Elm City
Elm City, North Carolina
Elm City is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,209 in 2008.-Geography:Elm City is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
and two Eurocopter EC145, located at PCMH. On September 25, 2007, UHS stationed one helicopter at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport so it will allow for shorter flight time, giving a better chance for the patient to arrive at PCMH within the golden hour
Golden hour (medicine)
In emergency medicine, the golden hour refers to a time period lasting from a few minutes to several hours following traumatic injury being sustained by a casualty, during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death...
. The Elm City based helicopter serves the counties of Edgecombe
Edgecombe County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 24,002 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
, Halifax
Halifax County, North Carolina
-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:[[Image:HalifaxCountyCotton.wmg.jpg|left|thumb|A cotton field blooms in Halifax County....
, Johnston
Johnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
, Nash
Nash County, North Carolina
Nash County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 87,420. Its county seat is Nashville.- History :...
, Sampson
Sampson County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 63,431 people, 22,624 households, and 16,214 families residing in the county. The population density was 67.1 people per square mile . There were 26,476 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...
, Wayne
Wayne County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Brogden*Dudley*Elroy*Eureka*Fremont*Goldsboro*Mar-Mac*Mount Olive*Pikeville*Rosewood*Seven Springs*Walnut Creek*Grantham-Geography:According to the U.S...
and Wilson
Wilson County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2006, there 73,814 people, 28,613 households, and 19,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 199 people per square mile . There were 30,729 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile...
. EastCare used Eurocopter helicopters since the mid-1980s. The three new helicopters are replacing three Eurocopter BK-117s that were operated on a lease arrangement and flown by Air Methods
Air Methods
Air Methods, Corp. is the largest publicly owned emergency medical services helicopter operator in the United States, with a fleet of over 300 medical transport helicopters that average 85,000 transports and 100,000 flight hours per year as of December 2006....
. The helicopters run around 2,400 times per year, with the average one-way flight being 30 minutes. The callsign for dispatch is "University Medical" and for the helicopters are "Air 1", "Air 2" and "Air 3".
Ground transport
EastCare began critical care ground transport in 1994. The ambulances include two neonatal transfer ambulances and ten type-I ambulances. There are also six ambulances for advancedAdvanced Life Support
Advanced Life Support is a set of life-saving protocols and skills that extend Basic Life Support to further support the circulation and provide an open airway and adequate ventilation .-Components of ALS:These include:...
and basic life support
Basic life support
Basic life support is the level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until the patient can be given full medical care at a hospital. It can be provided by trained medical personnel, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and by...
. The ground transport vehicles are primary stationed either in Greenville or at one of the satellite stations. The other stations are Bertie County
Bertie County, North Carolina
-External links:**...
, Carteret County
Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat is Beaufort. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast....
, Duplin County
Duplin County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 49,063 people, 18,267 households, and 13,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 20,520 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Halifax County
Halifax County, North Carolina
-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:[[Image:HalifaxCountyCotton.wmg.jpg|left|thumb|A cotton field blooms in Halifax County....
, Nash County
Nash County, North Carolina
Nash County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 87,420. Its county seat is Nashville.- History :...
and Onslow County
Onslow County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 150,355 people, 48,122 households, and 36,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 196 people per square mile . There were 55,726 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile...
.
Awards and recognitions
In 1993, it was the first program east of the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and fifth overall to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems , is an independent, non-profit agency which audits and accredits fixed-wing and rotary wing air medical transport services as well as ground inter-facility critical care services in the U.S. to a set of industry-established criteria....
. By 1996, it was the first program to be re-accredited and the first to be accredited for critical-care ground transport. In 2000, it was selected as the Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. It received the Helicopter World/Air Ambulance Search and Rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
2001 Award for its work during Hurricane Floyd.