COVID-19 VIRUS CRISIS CHALLENGES REGION’S RESCUE SERVICE
March 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Covid-19 virus outbreak is creating an unprecedented set of challenges for the region’s rescue helicopter service, seriously impacting resources, finances and long-term capacity to serve the community.
While Covid-19, otherwise known as coronavirus is affecting everyone, the Central and North Queensland region’s lifesaving rescue helicopter service is particularly feeling the pinch as it simultaneously adjusts work environments, procedures and policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their crew, staff and volunteers, and to juggle the increase demand for their services.
The cancellation of several key fundraisers and activities has further exacerbated the situation during what Mr Rowan described as “a health and economic crisis”.
“Our rescue helicopter crew has already completed 130 missions so far this year, and the workload isn’t easing up,” Mr Rowan said.
“Today our crew have flown a sick patient to Townsville in what is the sixth mission we’ve completed since Wednesday. Our demanding workload continues despite the virus turmoil across the country.
“We were in fact the first rotary rescue service in Queensland to airlift a suspected coronavirus patient off a bulk carrier earlier this week. It is believed the vessel had been in port in South Korea about 18 days previously so the helicopter flight crew took Covid-19 precautions and wore personal protective equipment during the flight.”
The community-funded, not-for-profit rescue helicopter service is heavily reliant on funding from the community and corporate sector, RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said, so the postponement of critical fundraising events like the 2020 Annual Appeal, although prudent, comes at a very high cost and was very concerning for the service.
In addition to 50% funding from the Queensland government, about $5 million must be sourced from the community each year to keep the rescue service flying. Operational expenses for 2020 are projected to reach $9.45 million.
Mr Rowan said CQ Rescue now faced many new challenges in the weeks ahead as fundraising options dried up even as the rescue helicopter’s workload continued to increase.
“CQ Rescue is now undertaking precautionary measures to avoid any unnecessary close contact interactions to help ensure the ongoing safety of this community and our rescue helicopter crew to necessitate the continuation of our lifesaving operation,” he said.
In light of the unprecedented uncertainty and disruption within the community due to the Covid-19 pandemic at present, the decision had been made to postpone the 2020 CQ Rescue Annual Appeal.
The official opening the renovated hangar at Mackay Airport and hugely popular community event Emergency Services Day, scheduled for May 31, had also been postponed, Mr Rowan said.
“Our intention is to prioritise the best interests of our staff, stakeholders and partners as well as valued supporters and volunteers, and most importantly, ensure the continued availability of our rescue helicopter crew 24/7 across the region,” he said.
“Please be assured we will continue to closely monitor the situation and take direction from relevant government officials.
“For now, it’s business as usual for our crew who are this region’s lifeline and are available to anyone, anywhere at anytime in a time of dire need,” Mr Rowan said.
[ENDS]
Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.
For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182