Bristow wins Irish SAR
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Can't understand all the negative comments about the IAC. They have been operating helicopters for sixty years and their safety statistics, while not perfect, compare favorably with any other similar organisation. One fatal helicopter accident and another hull loss (non fatal). Is there any other helicopter operator who can match that?.
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Recognized as Paramedic Level
cheers
Note that the move to paramedic status for SAR rearcrew in UK was championed by the RAF 20 years ago.
The current operator is licenced to Advanced Paramedic standard and have almost a base worth of SAR Advanced Paramedics operating on the line. These crews will have to revert to Paramedic status under the new service. The contract requirement is Paramedic which is not the same as the Paramedic level in UK.
The current operator is licenced to Advanced Paramedic standard and have almost a base worth of SAR Advanced Paramedics operating on the line. These crews will have to revert to Paramedic status under the new service. The contract requirement is Paramedic which is not the same as the Paramedic level in UK.
For simplicity the AP and UK Paramedic are closely matched. They are Advanced life support providers (ALS) and can give lifesaving and pain meds intravenously as well as intubate to protect someones airway if appropriate. Irish Paramedics cannot do either of these things and are a Basic Life Support grade (BLS). For comparison in terms of skillset and medications Irish Paramedic is above UK Technician but below UK Paramedic, and UK Paramedic is above Irish Paramedic but below Irish Advanced Paramedic. Bristow getting accreditation for Paramedic level of care is a contract requirement and has been for about 15 years. CHC evidenced a need in approx 50% of cases for a higher level of care and provided such care with the existing qualified Advanced Paramedics with the blessing of the Irish Coastguard. Seems a retrograde step having the resource but not using it imo.
For simplicity the AP and UK Paramedic are closely matched. They are Advanced life support providers (ALS) and can give lifesaving and pain meds intravenously as well as intubate to protect someones airway if appropriate. Irish Paramedics cannot do either of these things and are a Basic Life Support grade (BLS). For comparison in terms of skillset and medications Irish Paramedic is above UK Technician but below UK Paramedic, and UK Paramedic is above Irish Paramedic but below Irish Advanced Paramedic. Bristow getting accreditation for Paramedic level of care is a contract requirement and has been for about 15 years. CHC evidenced a need in approx 50% of cases for a higher level of care and provided such care with the existing qualified Advanced Paramedics with the blessing of the Irish Coastguard. Seems a retrograde step having the resource but not using it imo.
In such circumstance you would expect Bristow to start with what is required by the contract and once they're set up, if they have suitable numbers of AP qualified staff, an identified need and the blessing of the Coastguard they may be in a position to increase the level of service in much he same way CHC did?
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
In such circumstance you would expect Bristow to start with what is required by the contract and once they're set up, if they have suitable numbers of AP qualified staff, an identified need and the blessing of the Coastguard they may be in a position to increase the level of service in much he same way CHC did?
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
I can't agree with your point about point scoring. It has everything to do with tending to sick and injured people and giving them the best care available. My post above following the press release was to highlight while its a milestone it is still a retrograde step to the current service. This certainly is not Bristows fault, the Irish Coastguard themselves need to take their heads out of the sand and take an interest in the service they are paying for.
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Winchingout.
Thanks for your comment and clarification.
I'm sorry that i suggested that you were trying to score points - It's simply that with a thread like this it's easy to jump to conclusions about someone's motivation for a particular post. There is a lot of politics involved in this tender.
It's very apparent from your follow-up post that you're not point scoring but rather you're identifying a point of actual concern for which I thank you!
OH
Thanks for your comment and clarification.
I'm sorry that i suggested that you were trying to score points - It's simply that with a thread like this it's easy to jump to conclusions about someone's motivation for a particular post. There is a lot of politics involved in this tender.
It's very apparent from your follow-up post that you're not point scoring but rather you're identifying a point of actual concern for which I thank you!
OH
OvertHawk
I appreciate your post. The crews involved care about doing the job, and want to do it well, that's all. Everyone wants to see the transition succeed and accepts it may not be perfect from the off. Its a big project with many complex issues to be brought together on a tight timetable. Despite comments I've read elsewhere, there are many within the Irish operation that will go the extra mile to help get it across the line.
I appreciate your post. The crews involved care about doing the job, and want to do it well, that's all. Everyone wants to see the transition succeed and accepts it may not be perfect from the off. Its a big project with many complex issues to be brought together on a tight timetable. Despite comments I've read elsewhere, there are many within the Irish operation that will go the extra mile to help get it across the line.
