Rescue choppers out of action | The Courier-Mail
Firstly, this is NOT a dig at anyone.
So, anyone know whats going on in FNQ? Seems the maint stagger for the 139s has concertina'ed. Is this a symptom of the introduction of new aircraft, indicative of increased tasking, or something else? Would be interested to hear from anyone in the know. Good luck to the guys up north.Hope it gets sorted soon.
Jane Chudleigh
August 28, 2009 07:00pm
EMERGENCY helicopter services will be stretched as two out of three government-owned helicopters in the far north of Queensland are grounded for servicing.
Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said the situation, leaving EMQ helicopters in Townsville and Cairns offline for about a week, was unavoidable.
"It is simply not possible to completely control when maintenance has to occur," Mr Roberts said.
"Maintenance is dictated by the number of flying hours completed by a helicopter and this is strictly adhered to."
LNP emergency services spokesman Ted Malone said the situation was potentially very serious.
"I can't understand why the government can't reschedule servicing so the community is not left like this," Mr Malone said.
He said pilots and doctors at Cairns Base Hospital had told him of their concerns.
"The helicopters have increasingly been used to ferry patients between Atherton and Cairns and Townsville, depending on the degree of intensive care overload," Mr Malone said.
"So its not just a matter of keeping our fingers crossed for the week."
Neil Roberts said back-up arrangements included EMQ's Townsville base handling all far north Queensland responses for emergency and aero-medical retrievals.
"We also have arrangements in place to access Community Helicopter service providers in needed," Mr Roberts said.
But when spoken to tonight, CQ Rescue chief executive Phillip Dowler was unaware of two government helicopters being out of service.
He said it would stretch services in the widespread region but the Mackay-based community service would cope with the increased demand.
"If it's only for a few days or so, I think we will be able to manage," he said.
"We need at least 24 hours notice to be able to cover both (Townsville and Cairns) bases."