Dr Ron Manning, executive director, Health Emergency & Aeromedical Services, NSW Ambulance
Your story published on 3 April 2017 in relation to the NSW Ambulance helicopter operations was factually incorrect.
The current NSW Ambulance rescue helicopter base was impacted by the flooding affecting much of Lismore late last week. During the period the current base could not be accessed, and weather permitting, highly experienced NSW Ambulance critical care paramedics and doctors together with pilots and aircrew maintained NSW Ambulance helicopter operations from Hepburn Park. Normal operations for the current base resumed by mid-afternoon Saturday 1 April.
The new helicopter base, which is still under construction, was not impacted by the floods. This site chosen to withstand a 1 in 100 year flood event was selected following extensive consultation with aviation experts and Lismore City Council. During the Aeromedical Review in 2012 and throughout the helicopter tender process, no concerns were raised about flood, fog or flying bats impacting helicopter operations at Lismore.
The Lismore helicopter has served the community effectively for over 33 years.
I would also like to provide the assurance to the community that NSW Ambulance is always available to comment on or to clarify any issue related to the delivery of ambulance care in NSW.
I lived in Lismore and worked in Tuncester back in the 80s , good luck with the fog during winter mornings until about 9am when it starts to lift.
Does this guy seriously expect people to believe that Lismore Airport was “not impacted” by the floods? It was completely under water! The site had no access and no power – so how does that qualify as “not impacted”?