Imabell
Bit surprised at your comments. From a journos standpoint, one who has visited and profiled many EMS/SAR operators worldwide I would have to disagree with your comments whole heartedly. Nearly every operator I have flown with has acted in the utmost professionalism. In fact many of them have acted on the side of safety and not gone where they could easily have just headed off and ploughed into the unknown.
Yes there are one or two that I would never fly with again but these are more the exception rather than the rule. These guys deserve the credit as some of the conditions they fly in, albeit after much deliberation with other crew members and in some cases management, leave a lot to be desired. In a lot of the EMS programs in the US the Program managers are actually part of the flight crew so do you honestly think they are going to let the pilots get away on an ego trip and jeopardise their crews, I think not.
You also have to remember that the Downunder operations also work as not just EMS but SAR operations as well so the skill levels are actually quite a lot more than the average US crewman (no offence intended). They cover a larger area in most cases and the weather patterns generally more extreme.
I think some rethinking is needed re your post as it will obviously offend many in that industry. I for one commend them for the job they do.
Pac Rotors