The Hammonton Gazette 03/16/16 Edition | Page 4

Details of the new hangar building for NJSP helicopter Wednesday, March 16, 2016 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 HANGAR, from Page 1 building is extremely sturdy and is built to withstand any number of damaging forces that could come its way. Size wise, it is larger than the other hangar at the airport. it faces the airport runway as well as backs up to the entrance road, academy Drive. according to Mayor Stephen DiDonato, Hammonton Hangars LLC originally began construction of the hangar in the spring of 2012. after the company began facing unforeseen financial problems, in July of 2014, the town was forced to finance the project themselves, he said. following its completion, the hangar received its certificate of occupancy (CO) in October of 2015. according to DiDonato, the New Jersey State Police are enjoying the new building. “it’s a beautiful building. the state police call it ‘the Mercedes Building.’ they love it,” DiDonato said. the building is manned at all hours of the day by NJSP pilots and Virtua and South Star paramedics. Hammonton’s centralized location in the southern part of the state is perfect for properly tending to all of the region’s medical needs. Prior to its completion, the NJSP kept their helicopter at a smaller hangar at the airport. Once they upgraded to a new and much larger helicopter, they needed more space. “the Division of [S]tate [P]olice occupies the hangar at Hammonton airport and Virtua Health pays the lease per the Medevac grant agreement. the hangar is new due to an agreement with Virtua and the town to continue to operate the progr