RACQ Careflight troubles?

[Shortarz]

Article in today's edition of the Courier Mail::=
Patrick Lion
September 29, 2007 12:00am
AN investigation is under way after an ambulance officer used a taxpayer-funded emergency rescue helicopter to deliver her groom to their wedding.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the RACQ CareFlight Helicopter transported the partner of emergency medical dispatcher Naomi Huntington from Beenleigh to the Mt Tamborine wedding on September 8.
It is understood the wedding was attended by staff from the Queensland Emergency Medical System Co-ordination Centre at Spring Hill, including department manager Bev Rey.
Mrs Rey's husband took photos of the spectacular landing that have circulated among staff for the past few weeks.
The State Government provides $2 million a year to run the helicopter, code-named Rescue 992, so rescues can be conducted across southern Queensland from the Tugun base.
The helicopter is normally stationed in Toowoomba on Saturday nights.
The revelations are a further blow for the beleaguered Emergency Services Department, which is currently being audited over concerns record funding is being misused.
Director-general Jim McGowan yesterday referred the wedding use to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, citing a potential conflict of interest for a staff member negotiating a private arrangement to use the helicopter.
The Government's contract with CareFlight allows private use but only if the helicopter's ability to respond to emergencies is not compromised.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts last night said any private use – paid for or not – was unacceptable on his watch.
"I do not support the use of emergency helicopters for private use, and neither myself or the Commissioner have any role in approving helicopter flights," Mr Roberts said.

[checkyoursix]

Well well, finally the government has woken up to some of the moves of CFQ....This time though its all a bit messy as it involves state government employees so the government should be just as much concerned for the outcome.

Appalling in any case that an EMS/SAR aircraft funded by the tax payer can be wheeled of for a social event or a Mick Jagger concert as they see fit!! Im sure we will see more on this...
:D

[Oogle]

Checkyoursix

It is amazing that someone will make a new username just to have a go at discrediting an organisation. :=

Know your facts before throwing the mud because as far as I know, the whole story is bollocks with no comment from the organisation in question.

e.g. code-named Rescue 992

That is not their callsign (BTW) and the government provides the money (an annual grant) for their Bell 412 not the AS350 (which is the aircraft in question).

:mad:

[Torquer]

"Appalling in any case that an EMS/SAR aircraft funded by the tax payer can be wheeled of for a social event or a Mick Jagger concert as they see fit!! Im sure we will see more on this..."

One must therefore assume you are against the use of Federal funds for ADF aircraft to participate in community activities? Get over yourself. If the Qld Govt is so concerned about this, then I would suggest that they stump up to fully fund an Air Wing that befits the size, population and tasks that are required to be supported by Qld Emergency Services.

Otherwise, they should just shut the *%$# up, else someone looks at the rorts perpetuated by numerous Qld State govt employees on a daily basis. Let me guess, absolutely not ONE single Qld public service employee has abused tax-payer funded assets or services for personal gain? Give me a break...

[The Ozzie BOY]

EMQ goes from one disaster to another. Maybe the ethical stands of EMQ might shred the documents AGAIN and hopping it might go away or even worse maybe be the new QPS helicopter on the gold coast might go out too (EDDIE B )?

[Max Dover]

Torquer
RACQ Careflight Inc on the Gold Coast are renowned for conducting commercial operations under the guise of "cost recovery flying". The Rolling Stones, U2 and many others using both the AS350 by day and the B412 by night. They just keep doing it and this little "private flight" is just another abuse. Was it private? Just because no money may have changed hands doesn't mean it was "private".

[Torquer]

Far be it from me to harangue the operations of a commercial entity. What is annoying is the hypocrisy of government pointing fingers at commercial operators. Without these operators, the QLD govt would be required to either a. put more ambulances into towns and b. replace these assets with govt funded ones.
Under the terms of their service contract, if they are in breach of their required online and response requirement, then a case can be argued for costs, damages, recovery of public funds etc. If they haven't breached their contract, then it's difficult to see the problem. If on the other hand RACQ claimed that the aircraft was offline due maintenance and THEN used it for this activity, then it would be a different matter entirely. In any case, without private and commercial aviation operations in Queensland, the emergency response from government agencies would be in a more parlous situation than it is now.

[Turkeyslapper]

Max Dover

As far as I know, CFQ is a charity organization providing an invaluable service to the community of SEQ, northern NSW etc. As a charity its funds come from all the usual sources ie community donations, sponsors and a relatively small proportion from the state government.

Surely any other initiatives which raise money for this service (without affecting its response capability) and therefore keep it going must be a good thing. What are they supposed to do? last time I heard, a IFR 412 costs a shed load to operate and has to be funded somehow or do they just rely on rattling the tin? Good on them for taking a proactive stand to ensure that the service is able to continue.

And yes, I believe it was CFQs AS350 that was used – the one that operates from Toowoomba without any funding from the state government?

Turkey

[lifer1]

Couple of years ago the energex Rescue machine delivered a bride to one of the pilots wedding.I'm sure the general public would love to know their donations are being well spent! as would the govt knowing their funding grants are being used very wisely.

[tribal]

Typical, Australian, tall poppy, stab in the back, Aviation waffle. Get over yourselves:yuk: