Hawaii wants copter medevac service back

[unhappycamper]

Hawaii wants copter medevac service back
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 11:37:45 EST

HONOLULU — State officials want to bring helicopter medevac service back to Oahu, which has not had the choppers to assist with serious traffic accidents and other emergencies for almost six months.

Officials are looking to resume medevac service at a reduced cost by paying for the helicopters only when they’re used and not while they’re simply on standby. Hawaii has spent millions of dollars on medevac coverage since helicopters from Schofield Barracks stopped providing the service for free in 2006.

“Kind of like renting an airplane,” said Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, the state adjutant general. “I use it for two hours, I’ll pay you for two hours.”

Patty Dukes, chief of city Emergency Medical Services, said the loss of medevac helicopters has not endangered Oahu residents. The time it takes for victims to be loaded on a helicopter often does not make it a faster way of getting to the hospital than driving in an ambulance, she said.

But Dukes added that helicopter assistance is valuable in accidents involving six or more patients.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_hawaiimedevac_080211/

[mahina]

1. Yeah, it hasn't endangered Oahu residents,

but what about the neighbor islands?

When I had to take my son to Queen's one day, when he was still little, the elevator door opened and out came one of the medevac pilots. My boy was wildly into GI Joes at the time, and he was soooo coooool. The dude looked like he came with all his accessories. Sweet to smile at a little kid.

Anyway, when you need em nothing else will do.