topendtorque, some pretty sweeping statements about EMS there. Have you ever worked in a dedicated EMS operation? Which country are you talking about? Australia, US, Europe?
No "Heros" where I work. All a bunch of very professional guys who have no problem saying NO if the weather minimums, or predicted miniums on-route are not going to be met. No one here has an interest in killing themselves or anyone else.
Problem with something on the MEL, the aircraft is now US, and the back-up aircraft is brought on-line.
The patients condition has nothing to do with a Go, or No-Go. We keep dispatch advised in any change to flight status (weather, etc) and they will task us as nessesary. When you are sent on a primary mission no one really knows the true condtion of the patient until you get there (In Czech,if we are sent,then we will be the first medical team to arrive) Sometimes the person is fine, other times they are fighting for their life. Not something they can decide from a sketchy phone call.