Air Corps Air Ambulance to be Retained

Aerohead

Great news for all concerned with the Air Ambulance service currently being provided by the Air Corps

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0502/614862-air-ambulance/

kub

Mr Reilly said a Northern Ireland based service "could extend into the northern regions of the country and allow our air ambulance service extend further south so that we have an all-island approach."

That sentence is interesting, could this mean that there could be a move Southwards from the current Athlone base?

folbotcar

Actually when you read that it doesn't necessarily mean the Air Corps will continue to provide the service. They have proved the need and did a great job, only losing one helicopter in the process. But eventually a dedicated civilian service is the way to go.

Particularly if they move to a cross border service. The Northern helicopter would have to be civilian and there are obvious operational and cost advantages in pooling resources, crewing and equipment. Not only that but in the event of the Northern helicopter being busy or out of service. The natural inclination would be to bring in the Southern helicopter. Using an Irish military helicopter in part of the UK would raise issues. Yes I know they've gone North before but this would be different.

As it happens the IAA has an man working for them who was once Chief pilot of an air ambulance unit in the UK. Valuable experience that.

salthilljourno

Super dooper news that ,

I really dont know what I would have done with myself had the AC been passed over for this vital service ,

My life and my fantasies revolve around these helis and the guys that fly them and crew them.

folbotcar

Actually as I pointed out the Air Corps will be passed over for this service. In the long run it has to be civilianised.

Sorry for your fantasies.

donvito99

folbotcar wrote: »

only losing one helicopter in the process

I had to laugh at the way you worded that!

salthilljourno

I had a bit of a giggle at that one also .

It was only a hard landing , thats all .

Although a serious incident would have been right up my street in terms of reporting and analyzing all the info .

This coupled with my expert inside Knowledge would have ensured a great story .

folbotcar

You're back hopper davy or one of your iterations. It was a crash end of. Is it back in service yet? No! Everyone in was lucky.

flazio

I'd imagine that when the service is civilianised, that CHC would possibly be one of the front runners for the contract?

doctorchopper

[QUOTE=folbotcar;90236467 Is it back in service yet? No! Everyone in was lucky.[/QUOTE]

It should be next month