Medevac turns to Bedminster

State Police unit aims to move from Newark

November 17 , 2005

After a bitter reception in Bedminster, the head of a State Police medical helicopter program confirmed yesterday the unit is negotiating to land a permanent home at the township airport, where the owner plans to convert a hangar to accommodate extra people for a full 24-hour operation.

"That's part of the plan, to occupy those spaces," said Terrence Hoben, air medical coordinator for Northstar, the medevac helicopter unit that serves Northern New Jersey and is relocating from Newark to Somerset Airport in Bedminster.

Daniel Walker, owner of the airport, yesterday declined to confirm medevac is the prospective tenant who will occupy the hangar that will be converted into six offices, two bathrooms and a common area.

"I have a potential client that has a requirement for office space," he would only say. "I think it will become obvious (who it is)."

Local officials and a tri-town group opposed to expanded operations at the airport argue the deafening noise and exhaust from additional aircraft is ruining the area's peaceful country setting. They also fear medevac will set a precedent for turning the airport into a full- fledged State Police flight facility.

Walker said his company, Somerset Air Service, will take the first step in making the alterations to the hangar tonight, appearing before the Bedminster Township Board of Health to seek approval for a new septic system that could accommodate any expanded use of existing facilities as well as keep his options open for a permanent building to serve medevac in the future.

"I don't want to have to do this twice," Walker said of the proposed septic plan.

Walker's septic application refers to a "Medevac State Trooper office with shower facilities" for three shifts accommodating up to 24 employees, as well as a "future potential Medevac" hanger. Currently the medevac operation has up to seven people working three eight-hour shifts.

Local officials against expanded use at the airport, including Township Committeeman Kurt Joerger and the tri-town group known as the Bedminster, Bridgewater, Branchburg Concerned Citizens Coalition, said Walker and Medevac officials have moved quietly from the start to relocate the helicopter's operations from UMDNJ in Newark into a trailer at the airport, where flights began earlier this year.

They warn the medevac program lays the groundwork for future expanded use of the airport and the number of flights taking off and landing will continue to increase at an alarming rate.

Walker, Hoben and other medevac officials disagreed, saying they presented their plans to the township, and followed proper channels. In April, the township approved a temporary permit allowing the unit's use of the trailer until February.

Hoben also said a previous plan to build a building (instead of converting an existing structure) to house medevac personnel at the airport was shelved. "I would say it's on hold," he said, adding the plan requires more study and attention to iron out concerns expressed by residents and officials.

Hoben said yesterday he hopes to sign a deal with Walker to move medevac into the converted hangar "as soon as possible."

Medevac operations are paid for by a $1 surcharge on New Jersey motor vehicle registrations.

Alan Harwick, a lawyer who lives in Bridgewater and who represents the citizens coalition, BBBCC, vowed the opposition would not back down,

"I still maintain that they have no legal right (to be there)," Harwick said.

The group has filed lawsuits against Bedminster to reverse a determination that allowed the helicopters to continue flying from the airport, and for renewing a permit allowing the use of the trailer.

The citizens coalition also has sued the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, which provides medical personnel on the medevac, and Walker, arguing the airborne medical program by statute must remain hospital-based.

The helicopter unit's previous home in Newark was at UMDNJ's University Hospital.

Harwick said he is tracking State Police flight logs that show more flights than what medevac has reported, to prove the helicopter is being used for other things and is a tool for the State Police.

Hoben confirmed medevac is used for homeland security, training and public relations, but emergency rescue is the number one priority. He boasted medevac transported 105 patients in July, a record for the 17-year-old program.

But Harwick emphasized 105 patients does not represent the full air traffic picture and does not include the ever-growing number of nonmedical helicopter flights taking place daily at the airport.

Hoben and State Police have denied plans for expanding operations at the airport for law enforcement purposes. But opponents have been hard to convince.

Harwick charged medevac was being used as a scapegoat for larger plans.

"They very shrewdly used medevac, because they thought it would be a public relations win," said Harwick. "How could anyone be against saving lives?"

Ralph R. Ortega may be reached at rortega@starledger.com or (908) 429-9925.

By RALPH R. ORTEGA
Star Ledger Staff