I believe the criteria
to dispatch the helicopter was met by the paramedics on scene doing so at 3:41PM. Who else is going to asses the victim/patient and make that decision?
Sounds like awkward communications, a poorly defined and/or implemented policy with regards not wasting money through unnecessary dispatch, or both, got in the way.
Kind of typical when a business upgrades to larger equipment then finds out it really does cost more, most likely a lot more in this case.
All the concern about flying in known icing is a bit overblown. Helicopters and airplanes do not belong in icing conditions and the objective on noticing it is to get out of it, not continue to wallow in its presence. As a matter of safety having anti-ice capability is understandable, but probably simply not worth it if the cost makes the overall operation financially unsustainable. Better to have some capability, than none.