£1.5m needed to launch emergency helicopter

Wednesday 02 January 2019

A coastguard and a firefighter have teamed up to raise £1.5million in order to launch a 24-hour emergency helicopter able to transfer critically ill islanders to the UK in just one hour.

Air Rescue Channel Islands is a new charity operating in Jersey and Guernsey that hopes to provide a round-the-clock facility for medical transfers across both islands.

Coastguard Andrew Scott-Miller and Firefighter Mark Birrell say that although the Channel Islands currently use a fixed wing air ambulance for medical transfer, there has been a significant increase in the use of UK Coastguard helicopters due to demand. 

Pictured: The logo of the proposed new service.

The men say that in 2018, the average time taken to deliver a patient to a hospital in the UK is four hours, whereas a locally based helicopter would reduce that journey time to an hour.

The helicopter would aim to be airborne in just 10 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night after the time of first call, compared to the 90 minutes it takes on average for a UK aircraft.

The new charity hopes to have the helicopter ready for take-off by the summer in order to operate medical transfer routes between the Channel Islands and to the UK, but they need to raise £1.5million in order to do so.

Pictured: An estimation of the annual demand for the Air Rescue Channel Islands service.

Air Rescue Channel Islands are seeking government funding, sponsorship and public support in order to reach their fundraising target.

Mr Scott-Miller said: “Working for Jersey Coastguard for the previous two years has given me an insight into how much the islands rely on the goodwill and availability of UK Coastguard helicopters to assist critically ill islanders, especially overnight and in poor weather. There are 21 Air Ambulance charities providing cover across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, all funded by the public. 

“I believe, with the support of islanders, we can deliver this life saving service. This would be a great example of all the islands pulling together to help each other. The support and goodwill we have received from both the public and governments has been empowering. There is a real sense that everyone is aware just how much this service is needed, and they are going out of their way to make it a reality.”

Pictured: The Air Rescue team believe their pan-island offering would plug gaps in existing search, rescue and medevac services.

As well as providing medical transfers, the helicopter is also hoped to provide repatriation services for those who have undergone medical procedures in the UK and need to return home to the Channel Islands.

The pair say the pan-island air service could also be used for search and rescue operations and aerial firefighting, making use of an infrared camera, spotlight and winch.

Commenting on the possible other services the helicopter could provide, Mr Scott-Miller said: “As a publicly funded charity, it is essential that we set out to design a service that can assist in as many emergency roles as possible, we have a duty to the public funding this service to give maximum value for their support and we want islands to benefit as much as possible from this service, we envisage over 400 lifeline flights a year.”

Pictured: A Channel Islands airport, such as Jersey's, would be an ideal location for the base, the team say.

As well as raising money to fund the endeavour, finding a base will also be a "hurdle" for the Air Rescue CI team. They need a location allowing for quick take-offs, which is accessible 24 hours a day. So far, the Channel Islands' three airports are the frontrunners.

The charity are also looking for islanders to get involved in the service by volunteering in roles such as in-flight medics, as part of safety teams and operational roles within the running of the charity. According to the website, recruitment for the Air Rescue Crew is set to start in March this year.

Mr Birrell explained: “This will be a real community project, we are looking forward to islanders getting involved in everything from doctors and paramedics escorting patients, to more grounded jobs such as cleaning the aircraft every morning.”