Operation K-9: LifeFlight, police conduct airlift drill for transporting injured dogs

FRAMINGHAM — Members of the LifeFlight medical team rushed from UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus to the Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham after receiving a call about injured police K-9s, Thursday morning.

And while the medical crew, who arrived by helicopter about 30 minutes later, were trained and ready to transport the K-9s to the nearest facility for treatment, it luckily wasn’t necessary.

None of the dogs were in any real danger.

The entire scenario was a training simulation meant to give a few law enforcement agencies the opportunity to gain experience loading their partners onto the medical aircraft in case it's needed in the future.

“As a dog person and someone who likes to help people, it means a lot to be able to do this,” said Stacy Cicio, a Charlton native and nurse on the LifeFlight crew.

In the rear of the helicopter sat a metal dog crate, ready to be removed to secure a K-9 and then put back in place for transfer to a facility where the dog could receive potential treatment.

Erik Ramsland, a state police officer who was among the officers to practice loading his partner K-9 Fero into the helicopter on Thursday, said it felt “fantastic” as a handler to have the service.

“These dogs get hurt now and then,” Ramsland, who is the commander of the K-9 unit, said. “They’re tough, they’re stoic, they would give their life for the citizens of the commonwealth.”

He said he and other handlers spend more time with their dog partners than their spouses and kids, and that it was “important” to him to know that there were people who cared enough about the dogs to donate funds and equipment.

The metal crate was a donation from Vest-A-Dog, a nonprofit organization that helps provide equipment, such as bulletproof K-9 vests, and training to law enforcement departments throughout Massachusetts.

Dave Shilale, president of the organization, said the organization was able to raise funds to donate the crate that was used during the training, as well as two others.

“People love dogs … people love police dogs,” Shilale said. “When they see something like this, that it's gonna benefit the dog, people help out.”

Shilale said metal crates were chosen for their durability and ability to be strapped down in the aircraft, as well as keep the crew safe during transport.

Three other officers got their chance to practice loading and unloading their K-9 partner, including an officer from the Charlton K-9 team.

David Rose, a state police officer who was training with his partner Nitro, said it was a “great feeling” to have something like this, and “good for the dog too.”

Veterinary facilities mapped out

While airlifting a dog hasn’t been needed yet, Ramsland said they’ll be able to pick up a dog “any place” in the state “at a moment’s notice.” The dogs will then be transported to the nearest veterinary facility, which LifeFlight has already mapped out for landing zones.

Ramsland said having those mapped out will help ensure they can get the dogs to the proper facilities, especially if something happens at night, during which it can be difficult to find a 24-hour facility.

"Scope, shoot, get there stabilized and then either I can have assets on the ground or an ambulance on the ground take him right in," he said.

But all of what occurred on Monday was only possible due to the enactment of Nero’s Law.

The law, co-filed by State Rep. Steven Xiarhos, R-Barnstable, who was present for the training, was signed into law by former Gov. Charlie Baker in 2022.

Xiarhos, who said it was “incredible” to see the training, said he was motivated to file the law after his experience as Yarmouth’s deputy chief of police.

In 2018, one of his officers, Sean Gannon, and his K-9, Nero, were shot during a shootout with a suspected drug dealer, the Cape Cod Times reported.

Gannon died, and Nero suffered life-threatening injuries. Although he survived and continues to live with a bullet in his head, Xiarhos said, medical personnel at the time could not treat or transport Nero to a facility.

But now, due to Nero’s Law, not only can police K-9s be treated and transported by EMTs, medical first responders must also go through training to be able to provide treatment and transportation.

Humans receive treatment and transportation first, Xiarhos said, but dogs come right after.

Cicio said she and other staff members underwent training in September last year, which was “intense” and “emotional,” especially because Xiarhos was present.

But it was also helpful, she said, because it brought everyone together.

“It was a phenomenal experience,” Cicio said. “I’m super proud to be a part of this event.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: LifeFlight, police conduct airlift drill for transporting injured K-9s