Helicopter rescue teams were typically called in to pull selfish wanderers off cliffs and transport injured hikers from inaccessible remote areas around St. John’s.
The team at the St. John’s Regional Fire Department has been on duty for almost a year, and CBC News has learned that the chopper, who is currently in charge of the task, is behind in equipment.
St. John’s firefighters use helicopter services under a state government contract.
However, in May last year, service provider Universal Helicopters went bankrupt.
According to state briefing material obtained by CBC News through access to information, the companies that subsequently signed a contract to replace Universal were incapable of providing long-term rescue.
On October 23, 2020, Mayor Derek Bennett’s briefing note said, “There is no time frame to modify the helicopter or introduce an alternative solution.”
The state now states that it expects the necessary equipment to go live this spring.
However, transportation officials refused to allow anyone to participate in the interview to reveal details of the situation.
“Waiting” service since last year
Frontline firefighters who serve are in the dark about exactly what is happening.
“I think we were waiting to see if this service would be available again as of last summer,” said Craig Smith, chairman of the St. John’s Fire Union International Fire Association. Local 1075.
“Without a helicopter, yes, obviously the team is currently stagnant.”
Smith is not the only union president. He has also been a member of the High Angle Rescue and Helicopter Rescue Team for 17 years.
He says it’s an important service.
“We advertise the East Coast Trail. We advertise beautiful landscapes. We want to take people to the country. We want people to experience what Newfoundland offers. I want you to get it, “Smith said.
“But likewise, most of the northeastern Avalon Peninsula [is] It is full of high cliff edges, very rugged terrain and some dangerous areas. And it’s nice and reassuring to know that there is protection and rescue services in place in case something goes wrong. … An accident will occur. “
The lack of helicopter capability limits the rescue and recovery options available.
“To be honest with you, we need to find other ways on the ground and on land, which will be based on case-by-case scenarios,” Smith said.
Military may be called for support
Military may also be sought for assistance, according to state briefing materials.
“If there is no state helicopter available with a repellent plate or suitable replacement, SJRFD personnel can either rescue the individual on foot or contact the Emergency Services Department (ESD) in Halifax. Contact the Joint Rescue Coordination Center for helicopter assistance. ”The October briefing note to the local minister advised.
But that has raised concerns in the past.
According to a 2018 CBC News survey, top military executives said that continued requests for assistance to state medical telephones would provide important search and rescue services off Newfoundland and Labrador. We were discussing how it would affect our mission.
The city approached the state with problems
According to city documents, St. John’s officials have repeatedly sought a solution.
The minutes of the Regional Fire Commission in July 2020 indicated that Mayor of St. Johns, Danny Breen, would contact the Department of Transportation “to clarify the significance of this situation and seek state assistance.”
In a recent email to CBC News, fire chief Sherry Colford confirmed that the fire department does not currently offer helicopter rescue services and directed the state to inquire.
“If it changes, it’s [the] State government. “
In a follow-up email after CBC News began asking state officials, Colford said, “It seems that there was talk about future helicopter rescue services in the state, and our department will talk about them within a few weeks. Will be brought to. “
According to Colford, the helicopter team has answered half a dozen calls over the last five years.
Smith, on the other hand, has one question that the state wants to be able to answer.
“I want to understand this kind of rescue situation and what their long-term plan for recovery is when helicopters are needed and fixed-wing aircraft can’t do it,” he said.
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s firefighters stranded as helicopter rescue teams remain in a “waiting pattern”