Relief Workers Urged To Contact HAI To Receive Recognition
HAI will award a 2005
Igor I. Sikorsky Award for Humanitarian Service certificate to
those companies, organizations, and individuals who took part in
the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts -- and has put the call out
for Katrina workers to be recognized.
As was extensively reported by Aero-News
during the crisis, helicopters played a vital role in
the rescue and relief efforts in Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi. Immediately after the storm struck, many HAI members
offered their assistance.
For many, the helicopter was the only option for rescue.
Helicopters transported critically ill hospital patients from
medical facilities, landing on rooftops, decks, and parking
garages. Helicopter crews also rescued elderly patients from
nursing homes and convalescent centers, as well as premature
infants, who needed such critical equipment as heart monitors and
oxygen tanks for survival.
Helicopters were instrumental in airlifting food, water,
supplies, fuel, law enforcement officials, firefighters, and relief
workers to the Gulf Coast region. They also helped the local power
companies restore power and repair the power lines. They also
played a critical role in levee repair, reconstruction,
assessments, and of course, news reporting.
To many of the victims, the helicopters and their crewmembers
were seen as the ultimate heroes, and in many cases, the difference
between life and death.
In order to receive Sikorsky Award certificates, HAI requests
that all Katrina participants notify HAI and describe the nature of
their participation -- and to the degree possible, supply
supporting documentation. Supporting letters, newspaper clippings,
corporate news releases, or other formats supporting or verifying
participation will be accepted, according to HAI.
Participants are asked to provide HAI with a valid address where
the certificates can be sent, and the individual who will be
receiving them, and the name of the individual(s), specific unit,
department, or organization being recognized. All certificates will
be mailed following the conclusion of the 2006 HELI-EXPO.
HAI will formally honor those participants at the HAI
“Salute to Excellence” awards banquet, which will take
place on February 27, 2006, during HELI-EXPO 2006, in Dallas, TX.
Katrina participants, who are present at the awards banquet, will
be asked to stand, to be honored and recognized.
HAI also wishes to honor those participants who are unable to
attend HELI-EXPO or the awards banquet -- so regardless
of whether or not they make it to HELI-EXPO, all valid
participants are eligible to receive a certificate.