One EMS operator in SYD
Remembering that this is a rumour network and not too many facts should distort our vision of an ideal aviation world, here goes.
Rumour has it that the Badman and the Clubbies are in discussions. The obvious topic of conversation would be the report recommendations to the NSW Ambulance service recently. One of the recommendations is NSW Ambulance deal with one operator instead of two. There has been some speculation that CHC will simply walk in and do the lot. Most think this is unlikely because of the short cuts in staffing and operations that CHC is now famous for. Others are looking Australian Helicopters way. But unfortunately they in their former life as Reef Helicopters have a similar reputation for taking short cuts.
NSW Ambulance is looking for an operator that can meet the industrial health and safety standards that would be expected from a government organization, at the subsidised cost of an NGO.
Ambulance and the state government are strapped for cash.
The helicopters are an effective way of efficiently making use of available ICU beds within the state. It is cheaper to operate helicopters to shuffle the critically ill around, than to have ICU beds empty in the wrong spot.
It make scents that one operator could do the job more efficiently than two. If this could be achieved while maintaining the supporter base of both NGOs, considerable savings could be made in the form of streamlined infrastructure. Cost savings in the form of improved infrastructure and a little extra from the state could see the Sydney basin graced with a modern fleet of helicopters like Melbourne has. AB139’s are a popular choice!
Some efficiency ideas. And this is where I would like the help of the aviation community. The ones I can think of are as follows.
One AOC instead of two.
One Chief Pilot instead of two.
One Maintenance Certificate of Approval instead of two.
One Chief Engineer instead of two.
One Pay Clark instead of two.
One Accountant instead of six.
One Board. All volunteer. Instead of the indulgence that exists now.
One operating base instead of two.
One phone system.
One Gym.
One training facilities.
One hack car.
One fixed wing IFR trainer.
One stock of spare parts.
Any ideas?