RE: ATTN:Kenneth Conn

["Thomas Kane" <nanmub@cybertrails.com>]

	I know nothing about this particular Air Evac company that has the subject
of this recent thread. Suffice to say that every company that has had an
accident does not necessarily practice in an unsafe manner, because as the
bumper sticker says " ^%#$ Happens " and conversely just because a company
hasn't had an accident doesn't mean they are safe. There are plenty of fly
by night operations that will do anything for a buck. And part of that blame
needs to be put on those hospitals that will call around until they find
someone fool-hearty enough to fly at all cost in any weather, they don't
really seem to care they just don't want the patient to be their problem
anymore. Safety has to be a culture within an organization that has is
supported by management not only philosophically (they all advertise it in
any case) but also financially. It is funny that there are companies out
there that just don't see that while it may be expensive to support safety &
maintenance, it is far more costly not to. I hope for Eli's sake that the
views of Air Evac management as he stated them are more than just lip
service (again I no nothing about them), the true test of it will be when
the rubber meets the road! I unfortunately have been victim to that type of
management style from a company that I never expected it from and it is a
rude awakening when it happens!

T.Kane RRT NREMT
Formerly a flying guy, hoping to be again someday!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth Conn" <medic77@peoplepc.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2001 4:21 AM
Subject: Re: ATTN:Kenneth Conn


>     Mac, I thank you for the information and opinions on this topic. I
have
> seen all of this information before, though. I am very sorry about the
death
> of your friend and I know there is probably no chance of changing your
mind
> about this service. I offer this. I know that I am new to this service but
> does that mean I don't know the difference between what is safe and
unsafe?
> There are numerous incident reports out there on many other flight
services.
> Is this to say that every service that has had an incident is unsafe? It
> simply comes with the job. We have 21 aircraft, 17 which can be in the air
> at any one time. With such a large company and as many patient flights
that
> we do, unfortunately there will be incidents. On another note, just
because
> we offer memberships does not mean we are any less safe. The membership by
> no means overrides the safety of the crew. We have weather minimums and
> safety standards just like everyone else. The pilot and each crew member
> have equal say about the call. We go by the 51% rule, meaning that if ONE
> crew member feels unsafe or uncomfortable at any point of the call, even
> before T/O, the mission will not be flown and there will be NOTHING said
> from the crew or company. This is stated repeatedly throughout orientation
> and is made clear from the very beginning.
>     Another point that is made very clear with Air Evac is that you will
> never hear an Air Evac employee bash another flight service. Your
derogatory
> comments about my company only solidify my judgement in starting
employment
> with Air Evac.
>     As far as the comment about unsafe equipment, here's this. We fly the
> Bell 206L. This is a proven helicopter and has logged over 32 million
flight
> hours. It is the safest single engine aircraft flying, including
fixed-wing
> planes. Our maintenance facility in West Plains is a Bell Customer Service
> Center and an FAA approved repair station. Our aircraft maintain strict
> maintenance schedules, just as I would hope all other services do.
>     In conclusion, and I mean CONCLUSION, I just want to say thanks for
all
> the input from the group. This seems to be a very intellectual group that
is
> dedicated to providing the very best patient care. I'm sorry again for the
> long post, I just feel that the best weapon against ignorance is
> information. Stay safe. Thanks.
>
> Eli Conn  B.S., CCEMT-P
> Air Evac Lifeteam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flightmed mailing list



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