Club Meeting

On Thursday 25th February President Irene Brownless welcomed speaker Jim Brand to the virtual meeting of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry. Jim, was in the oil and gas industry for many years, now works for the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). Jim also volunteers for the Glenshee Ski Patrol and teaches CPR in schools and in the community. The Scottish Government funds two air ambulance helicopters and two fixed-wing air ambulances. Scottish Charity Air Ambulance is the only charity-funded air ambulance. It receives no government funding but relies on fundraising to support its activities. SCCA originally had one EC135-T2is helicopter based at Scone near Perth. In 20-20 a second helicopter of the same model was acquired and based at Aberdeen. SCAA work in conjunction with the Scottish Ambulance Service. The helicopters are maintained and serviced by Babcock Mission Critical services onshore. SCAA works 12 hrs a day 365 days a year. Their personnel consists of 12 paramedics, 4 pilots, an a charity team of 11. There are also two rapid response vehicles to support the helicopters. SCAA responds on average to one time-critical emergency call out every single day. A fascinating video shown by Jim demonstrated that from the first call to the helicopter with engine running ready to take off takes less than 5 minutes. The paramedics, seconded from the Scottish Ambulance Service, can attend any situation in under thirty minutes. For example, SCAA have attended incidents in Orkney twice from Scone and fifteen times from Aberdeen. The helicopters can now also carry a passenger as well as the patient, which helps when they are dealing with small children. The children also receive a teddy-bear to remind them of their trip in the helicopter. The helicopters are a lifeline to remote and rural communities and Jim showed how the public being increasingly aware of how to perform CPR are is increasing the survival rate in remote districts.

Each flight costs £2,500 and the charity needs £4 million each year to operate. In his vote of thanks, Alan Brown said Jim had given an insight into little-known but vital service. Jim Brand was introduced by Alistair Rarity. Neil Proven also joined the meeting as a guest of his brother Eric.

In other business, President Irene announced that Vice President Derek Clark had delivered another box of woolly hats knitted by Rotary ladies and their friends and contributed by commercial suppliers to the National Mission to Seafarers.