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Role of the Ambulance Service of NSW specialty casualty access team
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

The increased capability of helicopters and rescue winches enabled the conduct of complex winch rescues beyond the current level of winch training and procedural support associated with the traditional special casualty access team clinical access role, leading to an increased risk that hazards associated with complex rescues were not identified.

Issue number
AO-2011-166-SI-02
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue Owner
Ambulance Service of NSW
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Proactive action
Action number
AO-2011-166-NSA-039
Organisation
Ambulance Service of New South Wales
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

In response to this accident ASNSW has:

  • through its Statewide Services Division, introduced a mission governance procedure to ensure appropriate resources are supplied to support helicopter rescue missions
  • through its Control Division, strengthened procedures to ensure supervisors and all appropriate agencies are notified, and dispatched, to missions involving a helicopter rescue or SCAT response
  • undertaken an external review of its command and control procedures
  • arranged to present the safety issue to the New South Wales State Rescue Board for consideration.