Lunch time ZOOM meeting - Dave Barwick Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance

On Thursday 4^thFebruary 2021 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 16 Rotarians and guest speakers Dave Barwick and Chriss Doyle to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

Three apologies for non-attendance.

Our speakers this week were Dave Barwick and Helimed79 paramedic, Chriss Doyle from Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance. Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has come a long way since the idea was first discussed in 2010. A group of local businessmen formed Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) with a clear vision of the charity becoming an integral part of Scotland's emergency response network. OSCR approved its registration as a Scottish Charity on 26th October 2010. Bond Air Services was selected as the aviation provider and the Bolkow 105 DBS helicopter arrived at Perth Airport, in full SCAA branding, and on 23rd May 2013, SCAA responded to its first emergency call out, a serious road traffic collision in Dunoon which resulted in a patient being airlifted to the then Glasgow Southern General for specialist treatment. Now, the only charity air ambulance operating in Scotland, SCAA responds to hundreds of time-critical callouts every year, serving a population of over 5 million. This would not have been possible without their board, crew, charity team, fundraisers, donors and volunteers. SCAA currently operates two helicopters, both EC135-T2is, and one rapid response vehicle - taking expert paramedic care to the scene of time-critical emergencies, whether it be on a road, in a field or at someone’s home.  SCAA then transports patients to specialist hospitals to receive the most appropriate advanced care. In November 2015, SCAA upgraded to an EC135-T2i helicopter, following receipt of the LIBOR funding. On 1st April 2017, SCAA extended its operational hours from 10 hours to 12 hours per day.  The move also saw SCAA recruit a 6th paramedic, which in turn enabled the charity to extend RRV usage by around 20 hours, subject to the demand of the aircraft. Within the first week, lives were saved and improved within the additional hours. On April 3rd, 2020, SCAA launches its second air ambulance - Helimed 79. Based at Aberdeen International Airport, Helimed 79 doubles our capacity and allows SCAA to deliver more care, more quickly to more people across Scotland. And none of this would have been possible without the support of the people of Scotland. This upgrade increased the capabilities of the charity, enabling SCAA to carry the parent of a sick child or a trauma doctor, fly further, quicker, in darkness, in lower cloud conditions and also further over water. SCAA makes a difference - a patient’s chance of survival and full recovery are greatly increased if they receive the right medical care within the first hour of injury or illness.  The fast response of SCAA and its ability to reach Scotland’s most remote and rural areas saves vital minutes when every second really does count.

SCAA can be airborne within five minutes of receiving an emergency call and can reach 90% of Scotland’s population within 25 minutes.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), SCAA is an integral part of Scotland’s frontline emergency response network, responding to trauma incidents and medical emergencies across the country, covering an area of more than 30,000 square miles. 

As Scotland’s only charity air ambulance, SCAA is funded by the people of Scotland, primarily through donations, fundraising, events, and our life-saving lottery.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Ewen Macdonald.

At the meeting we discussed and agreed that we would give donations of £100 not only to SCAA but also last week’s talk on the Mercy Ships charity.

This coming week Thursday 11th February 2021 our meeting will be on ZOOM but at the rearranged time of 7pm when we will have Cammy Young a Magician on to entertain us.

The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Jim Boyd.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome[GS1] .